Everyone Is Refusing To Pay NYC Taxes

Market Gains
15 Apr 202406:17

TLDRNew York City faces a crisis with unpaid property taxes, with a record nearly a billion dollars in debt this year. The lack of enforcement against delinquent landlords, coupled with dissatisfaction over city spending priorities, has led to a widespread refusal to pay. The city's population has declined significantly, with many talented professionals leaving for areas with better business climates. As Wall Street firms also consider relocating, NYC risks losing its status as a financial capital.

Takeaways

  • 🏙️ New York City's revenue heavily relies on property transactions and property taxes, which currently face a crisis.
  • 💰 The city is experiencing a record high in unpaid property taxes, nearing a billion dollars, largely due to the lack of consequences for non-payment.
  • 🏠 Landlords, from small to large, are refusing to pay property taxes, with some owing millions of dollars.
  • 🚨 City officials claim they have no power to enforce punishments for tax delinquencies, leading to an increase in non-payment.
  • 🌆 Many New Yorkers believe the city doesn't deserve more property tax money due to perceived mismanagement of funds.
  • 💸 There is frustration over the city's spending on the migrant crisis and neglect of issues like shoplifting and safety.
  • 📉 New York City's population has significantly declined, with a loss of nearly 550,000 residents from 2020 to 2023.
  • 🏢 Office vacancies are expected to skyrocket post-2026 due to businesses leaving NYC and the rise of remote work.
  • 🌐 Companies are relocating to cities like Miami, attracted by pro-business policies and lower taxes.
  • 📉 NYC risks losing its status as a financial capital due to its current economic and social challenges.
  • 🤔 The script raises questions about NYC's ability to recover from these issues and maintain its global city status.

Q & A

  • How does New York City primarily generate its revenue?

    -New York City primarily generates half of its revenue from property transactions and property taxes.

  • What is the current issue with property tax collection in New York City?

    -There is a growing trend of property owners, both small and large, refusing to pay property taxes due to perceived neglect by the city and a lack of enforcement of penalties for non-payment.

  • What are some of the reasons people are citing for not paying their property taxes?

    -People are citing reasons such as the city's neglect in combating issues like shoplifting, the out-of-control migrant crisis, and the misallocation of funds towards the American crisis instead of local issues like homelessness and public safety.

  • How has the city's handling of the migrant crisis been perceived by its residents?

    -Residents are unhappy with the city's spending of $10 billion per year on the American crisis, while neglecting local issues such as homelessness and public safety.

  • What is the impact of the declining population on New York City's economy?

    -The population decline of almost 10% in the past 5 years has led to a decrease in property tax revenue and a potential loss of business and talent, negatively impacting the city's economy.

  • How are the city's policies affecting the local business environment?

    -Local businesses, including small mom-and-pop stores, are struggling with high taxes and a lack of support from the city, leading to dissatisfaction and a potential decline in local commerce.

  • What is the current status of Wall Street in relation to New York City?

    -Wall Street is considering leaving New York City, taking trillions of dollars in assets with them, due to the city's unattractive business policies and high taxes.

  • What is the projected office vacancy rate for New York City?

    -The office vacancy rate for New York City is projected to be 20% off, indicating a significant number of companies and businesses leaving the city.

  • Where are businesses and individuals moving to as an alternative to New York City?

    -Businesses and individuals are moving to cities like Miami and other parts of Florida due to their pro-business laws and policies, lower taxes, and better weather.

  • What is the potential long-term impact on New York City's status as a financial capital?

    -The loss of businesses, talent, and revenue could potentially lead to New York City losing its status as a leading financial capital, which would have significant long-term consequences for the city.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ NYC's Property Tax Crisis and Neglect

This paragraph discusses the financial challenges faced by New York City, primarily due to property transactions and taxes. It highlights the city's struggle to collect property taxes, with a record high of nearly a billion dollars in unpaid taxes. The narrative focuses on the impact of Leticia James's policies and the lack of consequences for landlords, both small and large, who are defaulting on their tax obligations. The paragraph also addresses the public's dissatisfaction with the city's allocation of funds, particularly towards the migrant crisis and not enough towards combating issues like shoplifting and supporting homeless veterans. The sentiment reflects a belief that NYC is no longer a desirable place for business and living, with many residents and businesses leaving the city.

05:00

📉 The Exodus from New York City and its Impact

The second paragraph delves into the consequences of New York City's property tax crisis and the broader economic implications. It discusses the significant population decline, with nearly 550,000 residents leaving between 2020 and 2023, and an estimated 80,000 to 990,000 more in the following year. The focus is on the increasing office vacancy rates and the departure of businesses, including Wall Street firms, to more business-friendly locations like Miami. The paragraph suggests that NYC is at risk of losing its status as a financial capital due to its inability to enforce tax collection and support city operations effectively. The overall tone is one of concern for the city's future and its potential loss of global significance in commerce and finance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡New York City

New York City, often abbreviated as NYC, is the largest city in the United States and is known for its significant influence in various sectors such as finance, media, and culture. In the context of the video, NYC is facing a crisis with property tax collection, where a large number of residents and businesses are refusing to pay, leading to a significant loss of revenue for the city. This situation reflects the city's broader issues with governance and resource allocation, which are central to the video's theme.

💡Property Tax

Property tax is a tax levied by local governments on the value of real estate within their jurisdiction. It is a primary source of revenue for funding public services such as schools, roads, and infrastructure. In the video, the issue of property tax in NYC is highlighted as a significant problem, with many property owners, ranging from small landlords to large corporations, refusing to pay their dues. This refusal is linked to dissatisfaction with how the city is managed and allocates its resources.

💡Leticia James

Leticia James is the New York State Attorney General, mentioned in the video as a figure associated with the NYC property tax issue. Her role in this context is likely related to her responsibilities in overseeing and enforcing laws, including those related to taxation. The video suggests that under her watch, there is a growing trend of non-compliance with property tax payments, which is contributing to the city's financial challenges.

💡Shoplifting

Shoplifting is the act of stealing merchandise from a retail store without paying for it. In the video, the issue of shoplifting in NYC is presented as an out-of-control problem that the city is not effectively addressing. This contributes to the perception that NYC is neglecting basic law enforcement and public safety, which in turn affects the willingness of residents and businesses to contribute to the city's revenue through taxes.

💡Migrant Crisis

The term 'migrant crisis' refers to a situation where a large number of people migrate to a particular area, often due to economic, political, or environmental factors, leading to challenges in integrating these individuals into the local society and economy. In the context of the video, the 'migrant crisis' is used to describe the influx of migrants to NYC and the city's alleged mismanagement of the situation. The video suggests that the city is spending a significant amount of money on this issue, which is a point of contention among residents who feel that other pressing problems, such as shoplifting and homelessness, are being neglected.

💡Homelessness

Homelessness refers to the condition of individuals or families without a permanent residence or regular access to safe and secure housing. In the video, the issue of homelessness in NYC is highlighted as a significant problem that is not being adequately addressed by the city. The contrast between the perceived neglect of homeless veterans and the local population versus the support provided to migrants is a source of frustration for many New Yorkers, contributing to the growing dissatisfaction with the city's governance.

💡Budget Deficit

A budget deficit occurs when a government's expenditures exceed its revenues over a financial year. This situation can lead to the government taking on debt to cover the shortfall. In the video, NYC is said to be facing a budget deficit, which is used to explain the city's inability to fund certain programs or services, such as combating shoplifting or providing for homeless veterans. The budget deficit is a key factor in the city's financial struggles and the growing discontent among its residents.

💡Wall Street

Wall Street is both a physical location in New York City and a metaphor for the financial industry of the United States. It is home to major financial institutions and stock exchanges. In the video, Wall Street is used to represent the financial businesses and wealth that NYC is known for. However, the video suggests that Wall Street and its associated businesses are leaving NYC for other locations with lower taxes and more business-friendly policies, such as Miami, which is a significant blow to the city's economy and status as a financial capital.

💡Vacancy Rate

The vacancy rate refers to the percentage of unoccupied housing units or commercial spaces in a given area. It is an indicator of the health of the real estate market and can reflect economic conditions. In the video, NYC's vacancy rate is mentioned as being 20% and expected to increase through 2026. This high vacancy rate is indicative of the city's struggling economy and the loss of businesses and residents, which is a central theme of the video's narrative.

💡Remote Work

Remote work refers to a work arrangement where employees perform their job duties from a location outside the traditional office setting, often from home or a co-working space. The rise of remote work has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and has significant implications for urban real estate markets and commercial office spaces. In the context of the video, the increase in remote work is contributing to the high vacancy rate in NYC's office market, as businesses may no longer require as much office space, leading to a potential oversupply and a decline in demand for commercial real estate.

💡Miami

Miami is a major city in the state of Florida, known for its warm climate, beaches, and vibrant culture. In the video, Miami is presented as a destination for businesses and individuals leaving NYC due to its lower taxes, better weather, and pro-business policies. The migration to Miami is indicative of a broader trend of economic and demographic shifts that are impacting NYC's status as a financial and cultural hub.

Highlights

New York City's revenue heavily relies on property transactions and property taxes.

New York City is experiencing a significant decline in property tax revenue due to non-payment by property owners.

Letitia James, a city official, is associated with the issue of unpaid property taxes.

There is a perception that the city is neglecting its residents, leading to a reluctance to pay property taxes.

The city's response to issues like shoplifting and the migrant crisis is seen as inadequate by some residents.

New York City's spending on the American crisis is criticized as excessive while other issues are underfunded.

The population of New York City has declined by nearly 10% in the past 5 years.

Unpaid property taxes in New York City have reached a record high, with no apparent consequences for delinquent landlords.

Some of the highest property tax debtors include owners of large residential buildings.

Residents and business owners alike are questioning the allocation of tax revenue, especially in relation to the migrant crisis.

There is a growing sentiment that New York City does not deserve the property tax revenue due to perceived mismanagement.

The city's ability to enforce tax payment and address issues like shoplifting and the migrant crisis is in question.

New York City is facing a potential loss of its status as a financial capital due to these ongoing issues.

The city has lost a significant number of residents, particularly those working in accounting, banking, and business.

The vacancy rate in New York City is expected to increase, with many businesses choosing to leave for other locations.

Cities like Miami are becoming more attractive to businesses due to their pro-business policies and lower taxes.

The rise of remote work and the departure of businesses from New York City are expected to cause a surge in office vacancies.

New York City's current trajectory may lead to a loss of its status as a leading city for business and commerce.