In exchange for a one-time windfall, the property is maintained in perpetuum (more or less).
If it is so great, get into the business. I don’t see a need to tax the grave.
So death trumps even taxes.
In my town the cemeteries are owned by the city itself. In other situations, I imagine churches own the land. I am not aware of any cemeteries owned by individual mortuaries.
I say that since the people in cemeteries vote- they should pay taxes.
No wonder they always vote to raise taxes...
But the residents still get to vote.
Really? This is what upsets you?
My wife and I bought our plots from the township in which we live.
The township being a government does not pay taxes on real estate.
Not saying they aren’t out there, but I’ve never seen a cemetery owned by a funeral home. Around here, they are supported by our property taxes and maintained by a cemetery district.
Do you want to pay taxes forever? You are already voting democrat forever.
The dead pay a big estate tax. They do continue to vote however!
There are also some (generally very old) private family cemeteries.
If they don’t pay property taxes it really doesn’t bother me.
The ones I have seen are usually only may be 50 ft X 50 ft.
That’s because the issue was defeated at the polls by the inhabitants.
I’m an old man also who lives in Texas. The cemetery where my wife is buried pays $7300.00 a year in taxes on property valued at $267,000.
Just buried my Dad; the fees and costs were reasonable, and sufficient to ensure that things were done right. I don’t see the need to tax cemeteries; what are you going to do if they default? Confiscate them and sell them at auction? They are a public service, we need them, and you can go compete against them if you think they are too expensive. Good luck.
I just don’t get your animus about this.
I don’t think the Sheriff would get any bids on a cemetery at the tax sale.
Can I incorporate my family property as a cemetery? I’m pretty sure I can convince grandma and grandpa to Rest In Peace in the family plot.
Why do you want to tax gravesites?
Have you done any comparative analysis of the costs of grounds and fencing upkeep, intake counseling, burials, security, utilities, overhead and records management?
Our family is grateful to have literally dozens of graves in a very well-managed and maintained cemetery near a dense city. We can go and decorate the resting places of four generations, and know that the grass will always be cut, the roadways maintained, the water supply running for the flower urns, and maintenance crews out and around to keep us safe from any nearby urban intruders looking for the purses or car keys of grieving widows. Even my male cousins pack when going there, but so far (75 years) none of them has reported any trouble.
With our churches, governments, relations between nations and sexes, and in fact much of Western Civilization in disarray, I’m glad these particular grounds are still a place of respect and serenity.
The land has no market value. It can’t be developed. The owner must maintain a cemetery.
I knew a guy (sadly now deceased) that bought a decommissioned church with an adjacent cemetery. He rehabbed the church to use it as a residence. He told me that they deal was that he was responsible to maintain the cemetery as long as he lived there, and that would apply to any future owners.