PaulAdrian's Blog

That might be true, but the real reason is that big agriculture doesn't want the loopholes closed, and they are the ones lining the pockets of the politicians.

Well if they could re-do it to where it did'nt affect the farmers and ranchers that'd be great.

Why should undeveloped land be taxed as if it were developed?!

Also, there was a man on the story who claimed that there were no working farms in Dallas county. I personally know of one. Sounds like bad reporting and looking for a story that just isn't there.

Tax the crap out of them when they build a house - that will teach them to live in Dallas county. But until then, they aren't profiting from the land.

Sorry Paul but if they aren't profiting, why punish them for owning and preserving natural Texas land?

This article surely points out the fact that state legislators ought to revisit the definition of and reasons for an Agricultural Exemption. As new revenue sources may be contemplated by Legislators, the responsible lawmaker should evaluate the legitimacy and equity of this exemption. In the meantime the County Tax Appraisers office ought to just bill all property as though it does not qualify for an exemption unless the landowner can affirmatively prove that they do qualify. I'd like to know how much the $250 million (the amount that would be collected if not for the exemption) mentioned in Paul's report would lower the taxes of residential homeowners. In any case $250 million would probably pay for a few schools and an educated workforce is what keeps business in business.

While I am generally a fan of Fox 4, their "investigative reporters" (Adrian, Oliver and even Rose) often leave a lot to be desired when it comes to their reports. This "agricultural exemption" report is no different. Once again, the report comes across as one-sided and incomplete. Where's the interviews with legislators regarding their position on this tax "exemption"? Where's the notation in the report about property owners/developers having to pay full taxes going back 5 years once they do develop the land? (FYI - that 5 years' worth of tax payments is what kept me from buying and developing a property in Garland several years back.) Bottom line, until these reporters start including all sides of the issue in their reports, we as viewers must be very wary of the information being reported.

You can't get the ag deferment on a building. If his home is worth more than yours he will pay more taxes. He will only be able to claim the ag on the land not immediatly surrounding his home, and only on the parts still being used in a manner approved for the ag.

if the land is not developed they should be taxed accordingly, if the land is used to legitimately grow something then let them use the farm tax. but if they grow one stalk of corn that is not a working farm! yes, close the loop hole.

Thats' true char, that's why i believe the law needs to be changed. The big business in this case is ruining things for the small legit farmer. Just my opinion

that's not what i'm saying texaninfidel. i'm saying if the land is owned by anyone/any company that for it to get the ag exemption it should really be a working farm. Not a bail of hay that sits for the whole year not feeding or being sold. The big business in the newscast had a few bails of hay, not being sold or anything, just had the hay so that they would qualify for the exemption...that to me is not a working farm. the people who bust their butts every day in the heat and cold working the land, bailing hay or running cattle..they deserve the exemption. Whether it is a single person or a huge company that owns it.

The news story had some holes in it. Plus someone had to sweat bailing the hay and taking care of the cattle. My point is why should they be taxed on empty land as if they had something valuable on it? I come from a family of farmers and I know what is like to work and sweat or freeze for your ag exemption. However, it is not about deserving anything - they aren't making any money on the land and as soon as they do they will be taxed to kingdom come if they live in Dallas County.

And, to reiterate from a previous comment: I personally know of a working farm in Dallas County even though whoever they interviewed said there wasn't one. Now I believe it is the ONLY one but they work and sweat and farm for their money and the city is building a road through their farm to reward them for their efforts. That to me was enough to discount the entire report.