Saint George, UT

Local charities get in the holiday spirit! Coins for Kids is just one of the special charities in our area that really supports those in need and because of how our community here really gets behind the charity, I wanted to feature it in this post.

Coins for Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Christmas to children in the Washington County area. 100% of the funds that they raise go towards that goal! The organization is run by volunteers and raises money through private and corporate donations, there are no government subsidization or grants involved. 2007 ended with the charity raising over $105,000 - providing Christmas to 2600 kids in 800 different families. I think that's pretty amazing.

Coins for Kids also partners with Toys for Tots, a very well known charity run by the U.S. Marine Corps that collects new, unwrapped gifts (of at least $15 value) and distributes them to children for Christmas. You can visit this page to find a list of places where you can donate your spare change, as well as your donations to the Toys for Tots program.

Coins for Kids has an "adopt a family" program that encourages families and businesses alike to buy gifts for a specific family and deliver them to them personally...there's no better way to witness the spirit of Christmas than to deliver Christmas to a family who, without your help, wouldn't have any Christmas at all...

Donations to this organization can be made online and you can adopt a family online as well. They have made it so easy to help children experience the joy of Christmas that our town just can't say "no" - and we don't want to! Put up an Angel tree at your place of work so that employees can choose to sponser a family in need this Christmas. Contact Coins for Kids today to see how just a little bit of cash...er...coins...from you can make a huge difference to a child this Christmas!

It's that time of year again, the time of year when you pile the kids into the car after dinner and drive around the various neighborhoods to look at all the beautiful holiday lights. The kids will "ooh" and "ahhh" in the back seat as you wind around on all the streets. This is truly a time that you will cherish with your family, and I have another family tradition to suggest that you add to your holiday season...The Annual Tuacahn Center for the Arts Christmas Festival of Lights!

Tuacahn's provides FREE admittance to the Christmas Festival of Lights every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings from the day after Thanksgiving to December 22nd. A Live Nativity is presented each night in the Amphitheatre at 7:00 and 8:00 PM except on the first Friday in December (Tuacahn presents it's annual Christmas Concert in the Amphitheatre on the first Friday in December). Cost to get into the Live Nativity is $2.00 per ticket or $10.00 per family.

Holiday music, an open fire and hot chocolate are merely the icing on the cake when you visit this Christmas Festival of Lights! For only $1 per person, you and your family members or friends can enjoy a ride on the Old Salty Train provide by Ruby's Inn. And save some holiday shopping to do while you're here, because you can purchase some very unique gifts at the Tuacahn Gift Gallery.

Whatever you do while you're visiting the Christmas Festival of Lights, you cannot leave without witnessing the Live Nativity. Every night a new set of volunteers from neighboring churches come together to bring this experience to life. For only $2 per person or $10 per family, it could quite easily be the best entertainment money you spend this season. The costumes are amazing and the camels...well, they're alive!

For more information on this great event, visit the Tuacahn Center for the Arts website, or contact them though any of this contact information that I am providing below. Spend some time with your loved ones this season, experience some magic and see the wonder in the children's eyes. Happy Holidays!

Tuacahn Amphitheatre and Center for the Arts
1100 Tuacahn Drive
Ivins, Utah 84738
Local: 435-652-3200
Fax: 435-652-3227
Box Office: 435-652-3300
Box Office Toll Free: 1-800-746-9882
information@tuacahn.org

If you are considering moving / relocating to the St. George Utah area, I can provide you with information on all of the properties from the St. George MLS and help you to find the perfect home for you. Whether buying or selling, I would be honored to be your St. George Utah Realtor.

Credits for photography on the first two photos goes to: Larry Gevert of Hurricane, Utah. All photos used with permission of the Tuacahn Center for the Arts.

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There are many benefits to living in Paradise (St George Utah). One of them is the abundant outdoor activity. Here it is early December, but 15 minutes from my front door, is a gorgeous sand dune of red dirt. I'm taking my 2 oldest boys and my best friends (who also happen to be my Real estate partners).

From the sand dunes where we ride, we have wonderful views of world famous Zions National Park, Pine Valley mountain, and my favorite boating spot Sand Hollow Resevoir.

I'll be thinking of all you guys cramped up in some office in Manhattan or Chicago, while I marvel at God's creations here in Southern Utah.

Not only do retirees here in St. George get the amazing Arizona weather and scenery, but they also get to enjoy Utah's tax advantages. Taxpayers who are 65 or older at the end of the tax year may be entitled to a retirement exemption of up to $5,700, depending on their income (married couples filing jointly can claim up to $15,000). If purchasing a primary residence, taxpayers may be eligible for an exemption of up to 45% of the fair market value on their property. In 2006, AARP magazine named St. George Utah as one of their "Dream Towns" due in large part to the affordable taxes.

Southern Utah and specifically St. George Utah continues to draw national attention as being one of the most desirable retirement spots in the United States. Many of the prospective buyers are from other states and have questions regarding the tax structure in the State of Utah as well as in Southern Utah. The following information is prepared to answer some of the more commonly asked questions raised by potential home buyers. Since many of the people relocating and retiring to St. George come from California, we have drawn some comparisons with the State of California.

• QUESTION 1: Will I have to file a Utah income tax return if I move to Utah?
  The Utah income tax laws are generally based upon the corresponding Federal Laws. The Utah computation begins with Federal Adjusted Gross Income, and allows itemized deductions, as claimed on the Federal income tax return as well as personal exemptions similar to the Federal methods. In general terms, if you are required to file a Federal income tax return, you most likely will be required to file a Utah state tax return.
  
  
• QUESTION 2: In the year that I move to Utah, do I have to pay Utah tax on all of my income earned during that year even though part of it was earned while I was living in another state?
  Utah tax laws allow you to file tax returns as a part-year resident. The calculation is as follows: Your tax is computed on your world-wide income as though you were a full-year resident and that amount is reduced by the percentage of your income which was actually earned while you were living outside the State of Utah. A Utah resident is defined as an individual who is domiciled for the entire year in Utah or is domiciled in Utah for any period of time during the tax year (part-year resident) or is an individual who maintains a permanent resident outside of the state but nevertheless spends at least 183 days of the taxable year in Utah.
  
  
• QUESTION 3: How do Utah income tax rates compare to other states?
  The maximum Utah tax rate is 7%. Single individuals are taxed at that rate on taxable income more than $4,313 whereas married individuals and heads of household reach that tax bracket at taxable income exceeding $8626. (California's maximum rate is 9.3%, Idaho's is 7.8%, Arizona's is 5.04%.)
  
  
• QUESTION 4: Does Utah tax law provide a benefit for elderly taxpayers?
  Taxpayers under age 65 can exclude up to $4,800 per person of retirement income (pension, annuities or social security benefits which were taxable on the Federal return). Taxpayers 65 years old and older can exclude $7,500 each of income regardless of whether it is retirement income or not. Both of these exemption amounts are phased out for higher income individuals. Married taxpayers making more than $32,000 and single taxpayers making more than $25,000 will lose some or all of these exemptions depending upon the level of their adjusted gross income.
  
  
• QUESTION 5: Does Utah have a sales tax?
  Utah does have a state sales tax varying between 5.75% and 7.75% depending upon the county in which the purchase is made. (the cities in Washington and Iron counties are taxed at either 6 or 6.25%)
  
  
• QUESTION 6: Is it true that California will still tax my California retirement income even though I don't live there anymore?
  This law has now been changed. California can no longer tax non-resident retirees whose sole California-sourced income is from retirement plans. This change was enacted for 1996 and future years.
  
  
• QUESTION 7: Does Utah have property tax and an automobile licensing tax?
  The real estate property tax rates are computed at just over .61percent of the market value of the home for primary residences and approximately 1.1% of the market value of the home for second homes. These taxes are due by November 30 of each year.Automobile fees range between $10 and $150 based on the age of the vehicle.
  
  
• QUESTION 8: Does Utah have an estate tax?
  The Utah estate tax rules are very similar to the Federal rules. If there is a Federal estate tax liability, whatever credit is allowed for state inheritance taxes is the amount that Utah will require to be paid. Therefore, if there is no Federal estate tax liability, there will be no Utah inheritance tax.

If you're ready to take a look at retiring or relocating to St. George Utah, than get in touch with me and see how I can help. I look forward to meeting you!

The Q & A information above is quoted from the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, excerpted from an article that was provided by Hinton Burdick CPA’s & Advisors, 63 South 300 East, Suite 100, St. George, UT 84770 - Phone: (435) 628-3663 - quoted with permission from Mr. Van Kleinman -- Firm Administrator.

This post is a tribute to a real estate show that I enjoy on HGTV called, "My House is Worth WHAT?". There is something for everyone in the St. George Utah real estate market. From the very affordable to the very luxurious...you will find something here that is perfect for you. And on with the show!

228 N 2040, St George

$175,000 will get you this cute 3 bedroom, 2 bath, double car garage home within walking distance of several schools and shopping. It has a fully fenced backyard with a private gate that opens up to the elementary school playground and walking track. This home was built in 1993 and has 1243 sq. feet. The locals refer to the area this home is in as The Red Cliffs because of the breathtaking views of St. George's signature red cliffs.

1283 BANEBERRY Drive, St George

This beautiful 2369 sq. foot home has 4 spacious bedrooms and 2 full baths. It is on a .35 acre lot with RV parking. There's a beautiful inground pool and plenty of shade trees in the fully fenced back yard. It is located in the Bloomington Gardens area of St. George Utah and was built in 1991. The listed price is $308,000

1358 N Fairway Drive, Washington

This home is on one of the best lots in Green Springs, overlooking the 5th hole of Green Springs Golf Course in the St. George Utah area. It boasts 4880 sq. ft. that include 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, and an entertainment room with a full bar. Granite and travertine throughout the home. There is also a custom pool and 3 fire rings in the private backyard with views of the golf course and Pine Valley Mountain. It was built in 2007 the listed price is $1,395,000

That's it for this edition of "I Can Buy WHAT For My Money?" We'll be back soon with another episode so that you can see what your money affords you in St. George, Utah! Stay tuned!