Coop-taxes?

[scooter147]

Wayne,
Excellent point. We here in Missouri enjoy the lowest taxes on gasoline in the country, but boy do the people here COMPLAIN to high heaven when pot holes are not fixed fast enough or that this road is too congested and needs expanded or this bridge is falling apart but don't DARE mention raising the taxes on gasoline to pay for it, your likely to beat up.
I live in one of the best school districts in this state and my property values reflect it, with declining home values all over this state and country the values in my school district are actually increasing (not by much but are going up) and the only reason is the school district. So I don't mind paying taxes on what I am suppose to pay on but I am not going to pay taxes on something under the law I don't have to even if it was only $4.50.

 

[Hoot]

Like I said before. I don't now or have I ever had a problem paying my fair share. Key word fair. When you spend the time and money to purchase coop material, feed, the fencing material and the livestock it self. And pay the sales tax on all that.

Now the taxman shows up and wants to annually tax your coop and livestock.

The eggs at the supermarket are look better every day.

Hoot

 

[scooter147]

Hoot here is the difference here, most of the sales tax goes to the state and the taxes on the real property goes to the county in which I live.

 

[patandchickens]

Hoot, if your coop adds to your property taxes (and as others have said, this depends totally on your particular state/municipality), it won't be because it's a chicken coop per se -- it'll because it's an outbuilding *in general*. Same as that barn you got there.

Having spent money on it -- and paid tax on that money spent -- has nothing to do with it. I mean, if you build a HOUSE, heaven knows you spend money on *that*, all of which is taxable, but it's not like they're going to waive property taxes just 'cuz they already taxed the materials. TOTALLY different thing.

Anyhow most places sales taxes go to the state; property taxes go to the municipality. (In large part anyhow).

I agree, don't ask, just wait and see what happens. Although, be aware that if you *do* need a permit and you build something without getting it, they can really, REALLY screw you if they're in a bad mood at the world. I wouldn't suggest foregoing a required building permit (if one *is* required) just to try to dodge taxes. Fairness aside, it has the potential to really REALLy backfire.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[rooster0209]

Since we farm, all chicken stuff is tax deductable

 

[Fudgie]

Quote:
Sooo Scooter147, where are you located in MO, sounds like Linn County at work! I am in Marceline!

 

[scooter147]

Jmajors,
I am actually in St Louis County, I live in a suburb called Wildwood. This partially explains why the tax accessor had no clue that chickens could be kept as pets, more than likely a "city slicker". My area still has a very rural flavor to it, many of my neighbors have horses, goats, pot bellies, chickens, ducks, geese and other "farm" animals as pets. As a matter of fact, I checked with some of my neighbors when I recieved my tax bill and the tax accessor did it to anyone that had a "farm" animal other than a horse.
I really wonder if she thought that pot belly pigs were sent off to make bacon?

 

[Fudgie]

Yeah like the processing would be worth it on such a little one! DING DONG nobody home!!!!

so how far are you from St. Louis Community College? I have to go down there from time to time for Girl Scout events and such!

 

[scooter147]

I am assuming you mean STL Comm College at Forest Park.
I am approx. 20 miles from there.
I live approx. 10 miles west of 270 and Manchester Road.
I absolutely love where I live. When I move to STL in 1993 for my job I didn't know how I would survive without property and my critters without having a 1-1/2 commute, then a realtor told me about Wildwood. Most of the homes are built on 5 acre lots with at least one small barn. I am only 20 minutes from my job in downtown STL. Plus I love all the other convienences of a big city yet when I get home I feel like I never left the 40 acres I had to leave behind in upstate Illinois.

 

[Western Chick]

Quote:
I work in our county office that issues those building permits and I always tell people...don't believe what your neighbor says about the rules, requirements, ordinances etc. Go directly to the courthouse...zoning office, environmental services, Land and Resource Mgmt...whatever they call it. Ask there.

It will vary from county to county.

In our county the only structures that are exempt from requiring a permit are licensed fishhouses being stored on the property. Everything else needs a permit- wheels, skids it doesn't matter. Our zoning director even pulled a permit to pour a concrete slab for his 6x12 dog kennel just to be "legal." Sneaking around the rules might work in very rural locations but being caught carries a stiff penalty- a minimum of $500.

Generally the county assessor gets a list of all the building permits pulled and thier guys go out to see if the structure was actually built. At that time they place a value on it and --voila-- property taxes increase.

The good news is that adding a chicken coop shouldn't change your property value that much- depends on the coop. There are many other factors that play into property valuations that have a much bigger effect on values and taxing rates.

The bottom line- after-the-fact fees are much greater than the additional money you'd pay in taxes over the life of the coop, I wouldn't take the chance!