Taxes Still Lower in Texas

To the Editor:

Recently, Eric Green was kind enough to attempt to rebuff a letter I wrote to explain why Texas is still a much more attractive state to reside than heavily taxed states such as California that has a State Income Tax.

I admit, I may have gotten my terminology somewhat incorrect, but not the bottom line. The fact is that someone who earns the same amount per year in California as in Texas, and the example I used was $70,000, will be taxed over $3,000 more per year than in Texas.The taxes on that amount in California would be $11,221 versus $8,168 in Texas. These figures are taken directly from Forbes Advisor, Forbes is a highly reputable financial advisory platform that has been existence for over 100 years.

Oh, and as for as property taxes in California versus in Texas, Mr. Green didn’t state his reference for this information, but I’ll quote what he said in his letter. “The average property valuations in California tend to be about 70% higher than in Texas.” Thank you for that bit of information. Of course, this in turn, will result in higher property taxes for California residents.

Incidentally, I sensed a strong political slant in the letter as it went off on other little rabbit trails on supposed inequalities in Texas. But regardless of your political persuasion, I hope you at least appreciate the leadership of our Texas legislature that just increased your homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 per year.