Property Taxes?

Property values are going up in many parts of the country, and as a direct result, property taxes are going up, too, sometimes dramatically. Actually, of course, most so-called property taxes are not property taxes at all but are either mostly or totally real estate taxes. If all property were taxed at the same rate, the so-called property tax rate for most people would actually go down. This is because much of the property of wealthier people is not just in the house where they live but also consists of the value of stocks and bonds, cars, jewelry, boats, and businesses. Taxing these items at the same rate as real-estate taxes would allow a lower overall rate and still raise the same amount of money.