I am STRONGLY in favor of equitable and progressive taxation and of enacting a more equitable business tax structure for Oakland. But what could possibly be the justification for leaving rental housing providers out of the progressive tax structure? The proposed “progressive” tax structure allows for absolutely no progression of tax rates for rental housing providers, leaving small “mom and pop” landlords with gross annual receipts under $50,000 paying the same rate as huge developers owning 500 apartment buildings! The solution is to include landlords with 5 units or less in the “miscellaneous” category under the proposed law, so that they are fairly taxed according to their gross receipts. Making this change is the only way the Council can meet its stated goal to bring parity and fairness to taxation rates for ALL small businesses.
The city-wide NEIGHBORS DEFENDING OUR HOMES COALITION (NDH) supports a truly equitable Progressive Business Tax. However, this proposal heavily discriminates against Mom & Pop rental providers, demanding a tax rate 35 times as much as grocers, for example. Small rental housing providers (5 units or less) must be separated from commercial landlords & added to the “N. Miscellaneous” tax category.
Hundreds of small, local rental providers are facing loss of their property, especially during this drastic Covid economic crisis. Yet under the proposal, rent from a duplex, triplex or the basement in your home, even from a family member, will continue to be taxed at the highest rate in Oakland. Other cities exempt such rental providers from local business taxes as responsible public officials understand such rental housing is more affordable & can slow displacement & homelessness, at NO cost to taxpayers. Yet this measure continues the sad history of discouraging & punishing providers of lower cost, naturally occurring housing unlike any other Bay Area city. The 2019 Bus.Tax Exemption is a sad hoax--only 60 people applying in 3 years?!?
The City Council & Mayor repeat concerns about the increasing, rampant displacement of long-time Oakland families, the crisis in affordable rental units, needs for ADUs, and homelessness. Why has the Oakland CC totally dropped their equity lens in the matter of taxing Mom & Pop rental providers!?!
I am STRONGLY in favor of equitable and progressive taxation and of enacting a more equitable business tax structure for Oakland. But what could possibly be the justification for leaving rental housing providers out of the progressive tax structure? The proposed “progressive” tax structure allows for absolutely no progression of tax rates for rental housing providers, leaving small “mom and pop” landlords with gross annual receipts under $50,000 paying the same rate as huge developers owning 500 apartment buildings! The solution is to include landlords with 5 units or less in the “miscellaneous” category under the proposed law, so that they are fairly taxed according to their gross receipts. Making this change is the only way the Council can meet its stated goal to bring parity and fairness to taxation rates for ALL small businesses.
The city-wide NEIGHBORS DEFENDING OUR HOMES COALITION (NDH) supports a truly equitable Progressive Business Tax. However, this proposal heavily discriminates against Mom & Pop rental providers, demanding a tax rate 35 times as much as grocers, for example. Small rental housing providers (5 units or less) must be separated from commercial landlords & added to the “N. Miscellaneous” tax category.
Hundreds of small, local rental providers are facing loss of their property, especially during this drastic Covid economic crisis. Yet under the proposal, rent from a duplex, triplex or the basement in your home, even from a family member, will continue to be taxed at the highest rate in Oakland. Other cities exempt such rental providers from local business taxes as responsible public officials understand such rental housing is more affordable & can slow displacement & homelessness, at NO cost to taxpayers. Yet this measure continues the sad history of discouraging & punishing providers of lower cost, naturally occurring housing unlike any other Bay Area city. The 2019 Bus.Tax Exemption is a sad hoax--only 60 people applying in 3 years?!?
The City Council & Mayor repeat concerns about the increasing, rampant displacement of long-time Oakland families, the crisis in affordable rental units, needs for ADUs, and homelessness. Why has the Oakland CC totally dropped their equity lens in the matter of taxing Mom & Pop rental providers!?!
The NEIGHBORS DEFENDING OUR HOMES COALITION