PETITION TO END RECURRING PROPERTY TAXES ON PRIMARY RESIDENCES
To: State Legislatures, Governors, and Appropriate Local Government Officials
From: Concerned Citizens and Homeowners
We, the undersigned residents and property owners, respectfully petition our elected officials to end the practice of imposing recurring property taxes on owner-occupied primary residences and establish a fair transition that protects essential local services.
Americans should not spend decades paying for their homes only to face the possibility of losing them because they can no longer afford an annual tax on property they already own.
REASONS FOR THIS PETITION:
1. PROPERTY TAXES PUNISH OWNERSHIP AND SAVINGS
Unlike income or sales taxes, property taxes are imposed simply for continuing to own property. Families may spend decades paying for their homes, using income that has already been taxed, yet they remain responsible for an annual tax bill as long as they own the property.
This creates a perpetual financial burden, particularly for seniors, retirees, families, and people living on fixed incomes.
2. RISK OF LOSING A PAID-FOR HOME
Failure to pay property taxes can result in tax liens, foreclosure, or the forced sale of a home—even when the homeowner has completely paid off the mortgage.
Americans should not live with the possibility of losing a home they worked a lifetime to purchase simply because they can no longer afford an increasing annual property-tax bill.
3. BURDEN ON FAMILIES AND SENIORS
Increasing property values can result in increasing assessments and tax bills even though a homeowner's income may not have increased.
This can place a particularly heavy burden on retirees, seniors, low-income households, and families living on fixed incomes. In some cases, homeowners may ultimately be forced to sell homes they have owned for decades because they can no longer afford the recurring taxes.
4. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Citizens deserve to know exactly how property-tax revenues are being spent.
State and local governments should be required to provide clear and transparent accounting of property-tax collections and expenditures and demonstrate that taxpayer money is being used responsibly and efficiently.
Before homeowners are asked to pay more, governments should be required to examine spending, eliminate waste, and establish greater accountability.
5. ECONOMIC IMPACT
High and continually increasing property taxes make homeownership more expensive and can make it more difficult for younger Americans and working families to purchase and retain homes.
Property taxes can also increase housing costs for renters when property owners must incorporate those taxes into the cost of providing rental housing.
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS:
• End recurring property taxes on owner-occupied primary residences.
• Establish a responsible transition that protects essential local services while ending the perpetual taxation of a person's primary home.
• Protect homeowners during the transition, particularly seniors, veterans, low-income households, and people living on fixed incomes.
• Require voter approval for new or increased property-tax levies affecting homeowners.
• Require transparent public accounting of existing property-tax revenues and expenditures.
• Require state and local governments to examine spending, eliminate waste, and develop responsible funding reforms rather than automatically transferring the same financial burden to homeowners through another recurring tax or fee under a different name.
OUR POSITION:
We believe true property ownership means Americans should be able to own their primary residence without facing the perpetual threat of losing that home because of a recurring tax on ownership.
Homeownership is a cornerstone of financial security, family stability, personal independence, and the American Dream. A family that has worked for years to purchase and pay for its home should have the security of knowing that home truly belongs to them.
WE DEMAND ACTION:
We urge our elected officials to enact legislation that ends recurring property taxes on owner-occupied primary residences, protects essential services during the transition, increases government transparency and accountability, and restores greater security and meaning to American homeownership.
Sign this petition and join Americans working together to Support Policy NOT Politicians.
Signed,
WE THE PEOPLE