Christian Paro, a Nashville business owner, is sounding the alarm about skyrocketing commercial property taxes that have forced him to sell one building to cover taxes on another. He warns that other businesses could soon face similar pressures. Paro is assisting fellow property owners with the appeals process while awaiting a crucial decision on his main building’s assessment, which has dramatically increased—almost doubling from last year.
Despite his efforts, he had to sell a property housing a restaurant, which garnered no offers after being listed at its assessed value. While some appeals have been successful, Paro’s primary building is still under review, causing uncertainty for his business and the small businesses that depend on it.
The Property Tax Coalition is gathering data on the impact of rising costs and layoffs, aiming to advocate for policy changes at the state level. Paro is also pushing for fair valuations on his remaining properties to prevent further losses. He emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses amid these challenges.
