Committees get taxpayer's point of view

It was all about the taxpayers Friday morning at the state capitol as the joint tax committee heard the taxpayer’s perspective.

Both the house and senate tax committees heard the tax perspective from the taxpayer’s point of view. 

“Montana comes out pretty good in terms of being a low tax state.” Said Tara Veazey of the Montana Budget and Policy Center. 

The training session was to show committee members how taxes affect people and businesses. And how the revenue from those taxes are used. 

“While we might have low tax rates, we have to make sure we do have the revenue that's available to invest.” Says Veazey. 

Both committees will be deciding on taxing issue over the next few months. Issues like oil and natural gas taxation. 

Mark Haggerty of Headwaters Economics says “our main concern was looking back to the previous boom and bust in the early 1980's.” 

Another major issue the committee will be deciding on is property taxes. 

“I do believe this house price decline is going to continue.” Says Dr. Myles Watts from Montana State University. 

Several presenters said they wished the taxation committee and the budget committee would work together to try and solve the state's economic issues. 

There is a number of taxation bills that will be heard in the upcoming weeks including a bill providing refundable income tax credit based on property taxes imposed and paid.

Story by Josh Egbert, Beartooth NBC.
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