# Renters vs. Homeowners: Who's Really in Need of Help?

**URL:** <https://forum.atxfriends.org/t/renters-vs-homeowners-whos-really-in-need-of-help/3002>\
**Category:** General Austin\
**Created:** [September 2, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://forum.atxfriends.org/t/renters-vs-homeowners-whos-really-in-need-of-help/3002 "2018-09-02T23:25:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rcauvin](https://forum.atxfriends.org/user_avatar/forum.atxfriends.org/rcauvin/32/4_2.png) [@rcauvin](https://forum.atxfriends.org/u/rcauvin)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 11:25pm UTC](https://forum.atxfriends.org/t/renters-vs-homeowners-whos-really-in-need-of-help/3002/1 "2018-09-02T23:25:59Z")

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Jack Craver wrote [this piece](http://www.austinmonthly.com/AM/September-2018/Renters-vs-Homeowners-Whos-Really-In-Need-of-Help/) in Austin Monthly. We have discussed the homestead exemption for property taxes before in this forum. Some of the participants in that discussion opposed the exemption, because it (indirectly) shifts the tax burden to renters. @Phil_Wiley stated that the local taxing authorities tend to appraise commercial properties (including apartment complexes) lower than they do residential properties, suggesting that homestead exemptions may actually help level the owner-renter playing field.

Any additional thoughts?

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**Author:** ![carlwebb](https://forum.atxfriends.org/user_avatar/forum.atxfriends.org/carlwebb/32/18_2.png) [@carlwebb](https://forum.atxfriends.org/u/carlwebb)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://forum.atxfriends.org/t/renters-vs-homeowners-whos-really-in-need-of-help/3002/2 "2018-09-03T00:54:44Z")

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Not all homeowners are equally taxed burdened. Maybe they should have some sort of income limit in order to qualify for the tax exemption.