Do You Have to Pay KY Property Taxes If You Live on a Houseboat?

Picture it...you've bought a new house. You're overflowing with excitement. You've got all your ducks in a row with regard to every monthly payment you'll need to make. And then...BOOM...property taxes. Yes, I know they come under the heading of "every monthly payment you'll need to make." But did you think they would be that high?

Kentucky Property Taxes

A friend of mine moved out of her house on the strength of increasing property tax values. Then again, she had it coming at her from both ends. She lived where she was paying BOTH city and county property taxes. She is now back to renting.

Higher Property Taxes

In recent years, according to Tax Foundation, we've seen a sharp rise in property taxes. In fact, they have increased at a higher rate than inflation. (Insert "wide-eyed" shocked emoji here.)

Houseboat Taxes

To escape this headache, renting is certainly an option. But what about alternative forms of residence. Let's say you live in a houseboat, as many do in Kentucky. Are you at the mercy of such burdens under this circumstance? If you DO live on a houseboat, you already know the answer to this question. Oh, by the way, here's the monster that lead to this inquiry.

120 FEET. Yes, I could live on that. Like, yesterday. But I would have to pay property taxes just like the land dwellers. Now, I'm calling it "property tax", but it's not like paying taxes on the LAND on which you live. Like a car or truck, a houseboat (labeled as "watercraft" for bureaucratic purposes) would be subject to taxation.

So, the answer is "yes you do." It's not what we think of when we think "property tax," but it's a tax, just the same.

Now, back to that beautiful party barge. When do the invitations go out?