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Writer's pictureMichael Hopkins

Property Taxes are Widely Disliked

March 12, 2024

With property values soaring and tax bills rising, some state lawmakers are pushing to eliminate property taxes entirely. However, this ambitious move is neither cheap nor easy to implement.


In Brief:

  • Skyrocketing Property Values: In response to surging property values, several states have proposed legislation to abolish property taxes.

  • Alternative Revenue Sources: To maintain stable funding levels, states are considering replacing property taxes with consumption taxes.


The Challenge of Property Taxes

Property taxes (rent) are widely disliked, and lawmakers in various states are now exploring ways to eliminate them. Anti-tax initiatives are also being proposed for this year's ballots.

In places like Idaho, home prices have skyrocketed by more than 50%, largely due to an influx of remote workers from coastal areas. This surge in property values has led to significant increases in property taxes.


The Impact on Homeowners

Many who struggle with rising property tax bills are elderly individuals on fixed incomes, as well as low- and middle-income earners. The financial strain on homeowners has spurred grassroots efforts, such as a proposed Michigan ballot initiative aiming to abolish state and local property taxes, while requiring supermajority votes in the Legislature to raise other taxes.


Real estate agent Karla Wagner, who is leading the Michigan initiative, highlights the plight of the elderly. “Think about elderly people who bought their homes 40 to 50 years ago,” Wagner says. “Now, because they’re no longer earning income, they’re forced to sell that house because property taxes have become unaffordable.”


The Cost of Replacement

Replacing property taxes is a significant challenge, often causing abolition measures to stall. In Wyoming, a bill that would have eliminated property taxes for most residents failed; it proposed a 2% sales tax increase as a replacement.


Understanding Allodial Title: A Comprehensive Guide

Allodial title is a term that often comes up in discussions about land ownership and property rights. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it differ from other forms of title? In this blog post, we’ll explore the definition of allodial title, its history, benefits, and how it compares to other types of property ownership.


What is Allodial Title?

Allodial title refers to a system of land ownership where the land is owned free and clear of any superior landlord AKA Government. This means the owner has absolute ownership and control over the property, without any obligations to a higher authority. This is in contrast to fee simple, where the owner has the highest degree of ownership under common law but still owes certain duties to the state.


Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it."

  • This verse underscores the belief that ultimately, all land and creation belong to God.


Psalm 115:16: "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind."

  • This verse clearly shows God gave us this Land. Also "We The People" are not under rule of a King, but The People Rule over the King AKA President. So why do you have to pay them rent AKA taxes for "Your" Land you paid for? I thought Kings were a thing of the past, not in our present day.


In a Country of the Free, why are we not able to own our property?


Allodial Title vs. Other Forms of Ownership

  • Allodial Title vs. Fee Simple: While fee simple is the most common form of land ownership, it still involves certain obligations to the state, such as property taxes. Allodial title, on the other hand, is free from such obligations.

  • Allodial Title vs. Leasehold: Leasehold involves renting land from a landlord, whereas allodial title means complete ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Freehold: Freehold is similar to fee simple but can include certain restrictions. Allodial title is unrestricted.

  • Allodial Title vs. Common Law: Common law property rights are subject to various legal constraints, unlike the absolute nature of allodial title.

  • Allodial Title vs. Statutory Law: Statutory laws can impose restrictions on property rights, which do not apply to allodial title.


Legal Aspects of Allodial Title

  • Allodial Title Legal Status: The legal status of allodial title varies by jurisdiction. In some places, it is recognized and protected by law, while in others, it is not.

  • Allodial Title in the USA: In the United States, true allodial title is rare, but some states offer a form of it for certain properties.

  • Allodial Title in Europe: Allodial title has historical roots in Europe, particularly in feudal times.


Benefits of Allodial Title

  • Allodial Title Benefits: The primary benefit of allodial title is the absolute ownership and control it provides. Owners are not subject to property taxes (rent) or other obligations to a higher authority.

  • Allodial Title Property Rights: Owners have complete property rights, including the right to use, sell, or transfer the property without restrictions.


Historical Context

  • Allodial Title History: Allodial title has its origins in medieval Europe, where it was used to denote land held free from feudal duties.


Comparing Allodial Title with Other Property Concepts

  • Allodial Title vs. Equitable Title: Equitable title refers to the benefits of ownership, while allodial title includes both legal and equitable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Legal Title: Legal title refers to the formal ownership of property, while allodial title encompasses full ownership rights.

  • Allodial Title vs. Absolute Title: Absolute title is similar to allodial title but may still involve certain legal obligations.

  • Allodial Title vs. Conditional Title: Conditional title involves ownership subject to certain conditions, unlike the unconditional nature of allodial title.

  • Allodial Title vs. Defeasible Title: Defeasible title can be voided under certain conditions, whereas allodial title cannot.

  • Allodial Title vs. Determinable Title: Determinable title ends automatically upon the occurrence of a specified event, unlike allodial title.


Other Comparisons

  • Allodial Title vs. Fee Tail: Fee tail restricts inheritance to direct descendants, while allodial title has no such restrictions.

  • Allodial Title vs. Life Estate: Life estate grants ownership for the duration of a person’s life, whereas allodial title is perpetual.

  • Allodial Title vs. Joint Tenancy: Joint tenancy involves shared ownership, while allodial title is sole ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Tenancy in Common: Tenancy in common involves shared ownership with distinct shares, unlike allodial title.

  • Allodial Title vs. Community Property: Community property is jointly owned by spouses, while allodial title is individual ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Trust Property: Trust property is managed by a trustee, whereas allodial title is directly owned.

  • Allodial Title vs. Easement: Easements grant limited use of land, while allodial title grants full ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Servitude: Servitudes impose obligations on land use, unlike allodial title.

  • Allodial Title vs. Covenant: Covenants are agreements that restrict land use, while allodial title is unrestricted.

  • Allodial Title vs. Restriction: Restrictions limit property use, unlike allodial title.

  • Allodial Title vs. Lien: Liens are claims against property, while allodial title is free from such claims.

  • Allodial Title vs. Mortgage: Mortgages involve borrowing against property, while allodial title is debt-free.

  • Allodial Title vs. Deed: Deeds are documents that transfer ownership, while allodial title is the ownership itself.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Insurance: Title insurance protects against title defects, while allodial title is free from defects.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Search: Title searches investigate ownership history, while allodial title is clear ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Abstract: Title abstracts summarize ownership history, while allodial title is absolute ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Opinion: Title opinions are legal assessments of ownership, while allodial title is unquestionable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Report: Title reports detail ownership status, while allodial title is definitive ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Guarantee: Title guarantees ensure ownership, while allodial title is guaranteed ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Policy: Title policies protect against ownership issues, while allodial title has no issues.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Defect: Title defects are flaws in ownership, while allodial title is flawless.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Dispute: Title disputes involve ownership conflicts, while allodial title is conflict-free.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Claim: Title claims are assertions of ownership, while allodial title is undisputed ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Action: Title actions are legal proceedings, while allodial title is beyond legal challenge.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Suit: Title suits are lawsuits over ownership, while allodial title is lawsuit-proof.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Judgment: Title judgments are court decisions, while allodial title is beyond court decisions.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Decree: Title decrees are official orders, while allodial title is beyond official orders.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Order: Title orders are directives, while allodial title is beyond directives.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Certificate: Title certificates are documents of ownership, while allodial title is the ownership itself.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Registration: Title registration records ownership, while allodial title is inherent ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Transfer: Title transfers change ownership, while allodial title is permanent ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Conveyance: Title conveyances are transfers of ownership, while allodial title is untransferable.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Assignment: Title assignments allocate ownership, while allodial title is self-allocated.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Release: Title releases relinquish ownership, while allodial title is irrevocable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Surrender: Title surrenders give up ownership, while allodial title is unyielding ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Forfeiture: Title forfeitures are losses of ownership, while allodial title is unlosable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Reversion: Title reversions return ownership, while allodial title is non-reversible ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Escheat: Title escheats revert to the state, while allodial title is non-escheatable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Extinguishment: Title extinguishments end ownership, while allodial title is unextinguishable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Merger: Title mergers combine ownership, while allodial title is indivisible ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Partition: Title partitions divide ownership, while allodial title is undividable ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Consolidation: Title consolidations unify ownership, while allodial title is already unified ownership.

  • Allodial Title vs. Title Subdivision: Title subdivisions split ownership


Property Taxes are Widely Disliked

In our journey through life, we often seek guidance and wisdom beyond our own understanding. St. Mykul’s prayer is a beautiful expression of this desire, a heartfelt plea for divine intervention and alignment with Jehovah’s will. It serves as a reminder of the profound connection we can cultivate with the divine, allowing us to become vessels of His wisdom and love.


St. Mykul’s prayer:

“I pray for Jehovah to speak through me all the time, and I pray for Jehovah to remove all my thoughts, and implant His thoughts all the time, as I do not even want my thoughts.”

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