Bill Description: Senate Bill 1075 would dedicate 4.5% of sales tax revenue to property tax relief for some homeowners.

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Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?

Senate Bill 1075 would create Section 63-724, Idaho Code, "to provide property tax relief on owner-occupied properties in Idaho receiving the homestead property tax exemption."

Explicitly excluded from this relief are property taxes assessed for "bonds, school district levies, plant facility levies, and any voter-approved temporary levy for a specific duration."

The bill would allocate 4.5% of Idaho's annual sales tax revenue to this property tax relief program.

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Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

By redirecting 4.5% of the state's total sales tax revenue (estimated at more than $2.3 billion for FY 2023), which makes up a significant portion of the state's General Fund, to property tax relief, Senate Bill 1075 reduces the amount of tax revenue available for growing government. 

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Does it increase government redistribution of wealth? Examples include the use of tax policy or other incentives to reward specific interest groups, businesses, politicians, or government employees with special favors or perks; transfer payments; and hiring additional government employees. Conversely, does it decrease government redistribution of wealth?

The property tax relief program created by Senate Bill 1075 would redirect more than $200 million in 2023 and an estimated $150 million per year thereafter from the taxes paid by all Idahoans. The money would go to the subset of Idahoans who own single-family homes and receive the homestead property tax exemption. 

Reducing taxes is a good thing, but it is best when it is done in a way that provides proportionate tax relief to all Idaho taxpayers. By contrast, the approach in this bill provides disproportionate relief to some at the expense of others. 

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