Newtown’s Horse Tax:

Some Pay, Some Don’t

By Steve Bigham

Doug Brennan wants to know why there are not more horses on the town’s tax rolls. The Legislative Council member recently brought up the issue and has requested that it be taken up at next week’s council meeting.

Horses are considered personal property and are therefore subject to property tax, and many of them are on the local tax rolls. Mr Brennan believes, however, there are many others that have not been reported to the town. He is looking to have the Legislative Council set up a method of enforcement.

Newtown is believed to have one of the state’s largest horse populations.

Tax Assessor Denise Hames this week said 200 horses were reported as personal property this past year, and while there is no firm figure on total horses in town, many estimate there to be more than 3,000.

Mr Brennan believes either all or none of the horses in town should be subject to taxation. The council member’s concerns about the current horse situation goes beyond just taxation, however. He has suggested that the council take a leadership role in trying to solve the tension that currently exists between horse owners (specifically horse farm owners) and their immediate neighbors. He called it a “polarization” of certain parts of the community regarding horses.

“It goes beyond taxes. There is a Planning & Zoning issue that exists, there is an unregulated business activity issue, there’s the farming issue [and tax credits for farmers],” Mr Brennan said. “Right now, there is just mud slinging [in The Bee’s letters to the editor] and that doesn’t solve any problems.”

Mr Brennan has suggested a moratorium or amnesty on unpaid taxes for all horse owners.

“Let’s make a fresh start and go from here. If we have a situation with the horse community, maybe we should exempt horses from taxation, but let’s not encourage people to go and break the law. Let’s adopt an ordinance that exempts them if we so choose, or maybe we can have a 3- to 5-year phase-in period to get into compliance,” he said.

Mrs Hames admits it is difficult to determine just how many horses there are in Newtown.

“We really rely on people to follow the law and come in and file the horse on their own. The horse owner is responsible for placing the value on the horse. That’s usually the value they insure the horse for,” she explained.

Later this month, the tax assessor’s office will be mailing personal property forms out to businesses and to existing horse owners. To report a horse, stop by the assessor’s office at Edmond Town Hall. Horses need to be filed by November 1.

Under state law, all horses and ponies can be taxed. While other livestock, such as cows, chickens, and pigs, receive some exemptions, horses and ponies do not.