Taxes

A forecast published this week by the Vermont Department of Taxes projects a 5.9% jump in property taxes next year, but Republican Gov. Phil Scott said he is seeking to put forward a proposal that would keep tax bills flat in 2025.

As Vermont towns begin to put together their fiscal year 2026 budgets, health insurance rates, inflation and a drop-off in federal COVID aid will cause a spike in spending, leading to higher taxes.

Senate Democrats, who will maintain a slim majority in the chamber next year despite losing six seats on Election Day, say the first week of the 2025 legislative session will be devoted to plans for property tax relief from the administration of Republican Gov. Phil Scott.

The cost of living is a top issue for Vermonters this election. Here's how your vote can impact future decisions about Vermont taxes and financial assistance programs.

Education finance is notoriously complicated and full of weird jargon. We hope this helps.

This year, Vermont Public has been using a reporting initiative called the Citizens Agenda to figure out which issues you care about in the lead-up to Nov. 5. It turns out a lot of people want to talk about taxes — and how to lower them.

Vermont is one of nine states that tax some Social Security benefits. Some people would like to see Vermont expand its exemption to higher income levels.

Nearly every town in Vermont saw homestead education tax increases in the new fiscal year, with a few seeing increases over 30%.

A Greensboro family will not lose their 300-acre farm, and a 66-year-old woman will get back her house after the village of Orleans seized it. Both cases are tied to tax sales — a process municipalities can use to collect unpaid taxes, but that can also lead to people losing their homes.

Currently, lawmakers need to sign off before a town can put an additional 1% tax on sales, rooms and meals, or alcohol. This bill will remove that requirement.