Talk:Property Tax Circuit Breaker

This is a good start. A couple of suggestions. First, remove all extraneous words. For example you write: "The reason the relief is called a property tax "circuit breaker" is so that low income families do not become "overloaded" from property taxes, just as an electric circuit breaker will stop the flow of electricity in order to prevent a circuit overload."

You could shorten this a lot by just writing: A tax circuit breaker refers to mechanism that preens low-income families from being "overloaded" by their tax burden."

Or in the second sentence you can omit the term "essentially." Either it is or it isn't.

You'll want an outline for the article that resembles other Wiki articles. I would also look beyond just "Google" and see if there some journal articles or books that discuss the topic and whether it's effective or not. You might include a section title "Controversies" and then discuss the supporters and opponents of the policy.

Finally, yes, you'll want to include some statistics on the value of the circuit breakers, how the value has changed over time, how many low-income people are covered. What's the definition of "low income"? Good start though.Mcassell04 (talk) 23:21, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

I like your idea. It seems like it could delve into some interesting research and debate. Grammatically speaking, take out unnecessary words, such as basically and essentially. They will help your piece sound more professional and confident. You did a good job explaining the "circuit breaker" idea. However, you might want to further explain how it is tied to inequality. Also, statistics will most definitely be important and necessary, however, I wouldn't include them in your introduction, unless it is something attention-grabbing. Jhutch2872 (talk) 03:41, 15 October 2015 (UTC)jhutch2872

This is an impressive start to your article. I won't echo too much of what the other reviewers said about extraneous words, but I would like you to emphasize how this is tied to inequality. This is certainly a new topic to me, and I would like to better understand how this topic can help or hinder people. You are very organized with your information. I would like to see more variety in your sources. Katelynyac (talk) 11:35, 15 October 2015 (UTC)

It would be difficult to concisely convey statistics about each state's program because there is so much variance. I might suggest you include a graphical representation of the states that have enacted such policies and those who have not. This link (http://usmapgenerator.com/) allows you to generate a map of the US. If you choose to use it, you might include the income threshold at which the circuit breaker takes effect in the states with these policies. Your lead includes the phrase, "use a wide scope of programs to relieve the property tax burden..." If this is the case you might detail the distinctions between the types or focus on a single type of program in the interest of being thorough. On the whole I think it is an interesting topic in the category of tax expenditures and who they target. RobLierenz (talk) 15:30, 15 October 2015 (UTC)

"The case for..."
Hi. I see you've got a section in your draft titled "The Case for Property Tax Circuit Breakers". I'd recommend against framing a section like this, since experienced Wikipedians will see it as a non-neutral stance. There may very well be arguments for property tax circuit breakers, but we want to be careful voicing those arguments as though Wikipedia were arguing for them. Instead, we should show what secondary sources have determined to be the advantages and disadvantages. Let me know if you need a hand with this or have any other questions. Thanks. Adam (Wiki Ed) (talk) 18:07, 20 October 2015 (UTC)

Last edit
The summary of your topic is very good. I wish there was a section that is separate from the summary, that had a history of the property tax circuit breaker that gave more information. What you have already is informative, but this article could use more sections in my opinion. I would love to hear about the property tax circuit breaker in certain states as examples for the differences in eligibility/programs in different states. I am impressed with your topic, and it is one I would like to learn more about. Katelynyac (talk) 18:57, 10 November 2015 (UTC)Katelynyac