Capital Comments

Latest Episodes:

Looking Back 25 Years Oct 23, 2025

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Purdue ag economist of Larry DeBoer has been writing Capital Comments once a month for 25 years. Last month marked the 300th column. Let’s do one more, number 301. And let’s look back.

Property Tax Reform: Phasing Out, Phasing In Sep 10, 2025

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The Indiana General Assembly passed a bill to reform property taxes back in April. If the legislature makes no changes — a big if — we know what’s going to happen each year until 2031. Purdue ag economist, Larry DeBoer, predicts what the next six years of property taxes could look like.

The Incredible Shrinking Tax Base Aug 27, 2025

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The Indiana Constitution of 1851 had a very broad idea of what should be taxed by the property tax. Basically: tax everything. When the policy proved impractical, exemptions were added. It was the beginning of a trend. Purdue ag economist, Larry DeBoer, explains the most recent tax exemptions and how we got there.

Are Higher Tariffs Causing Inflation? Jul 29, 2025

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It’s been hard to follow the many impositions, cancellations, negotiations and pauses in tariff policy. Purdue ag economist, Larry DeBoer, explains what tariffs are and how they might affect businesses and the consumer.

Capital Comments reflects and contains agricultural economics Professor Emeritus Larry DeBoer’s analysis and views.

Indiana’s County Assessors Predict Home Values Well — and that’s the Problem Jun 26, 2025

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Indiana uses an assessment standard for property taxes called “market value in use.” The assessment is the value of the property decided by the county assessor for tax purposes. It’s a prediction of what the house could sell for, on the open market, if it continues in its current use. How much would a stranger pay for your house, if they want to live in it, and not convert it to some other purpose? Purdue ag economist, Larry DeBoer, explains.

The Personal Property Exemption: Not so Minimal Anymore May 20, 2025

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Sometimes taxes cost more to collect than the revenue they generate. Back in 2015, the Indiana General Assembly recognized one example. Purdue ag economist, Larry DeBoer, explains the personal property tax exception and how it's evolved over the past decade.

The Big Property Tax Bill Also Reforms the Local Income Tax Apr 23, 2025

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The governor signed Senate Bill 1 into law on April 15, 2025. The property tax impact of this bill has been talked about a lot. But the bill also makes big changes in the second most important local tax — the local income tax, or LIT.

Purdue ag economist, Larry DeBoer, explains.

The Indiana Property Tax: It’s Complicated Mar 25, 2025

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Each spring the county treasurer reminds us just how complicated the Indiana Property Tax is, by mailing form TS-1, “Taxpayer and Property Information.” It’s a one-page summary of how they get from the assessed value of your house to the amount you owe on your property tax bill. Listen to learn about what's coming to your mailbox soon!

Property Tax Reform: What’s Going on in the Room Where it Happens? Feb 19, 2025

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The Indiana General Assembly is debating property tax reform. Senate Bill 1 is a focus of the debate. The original bill introduced in January included the new Governor’s campaign promises for property tax relief. Get insights from Ag Economist, Larry Deboer.

Property Taxes on Farmland May Be Reformed Jan 23, 2025

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Property taxes on farmland went up a lot in 2023 and 2024. They’ll be going up a lot in 2025 too. The reason is the rise in the base rate of farmland. The reason that’s been rising is the pandemic.

Economist, Larry Deboer, gives the details in this month's Capital Comments.

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