Ask HN: Business formation and crazy local government

I'm thinking about starting a new business and just found out my local government has all kinds of crazy taxes and requirements for home businesses, including a business property tax on everything from my desk and chair to my computer and all software running on it.

I would have to submit a list of all these items including when I bought them and for how much so they can decide what to charge me. Every year. It's insane and makes me really angry. Income is one thing, but now I have to list the contents of my home office and even my computer and pay for them every year? Why don't they just install a camera in my house?

Then there are other crazy forms and requirements besides that. The taxes are small but the intrusion is large.

Has anybody here had this problem and have you figured out a legal way around it? One option could be to rent commercial space someplace else, but that is really expensive in my area.

There are mailbox or virtual office services which are cheaper but I don't think that would solve the problem.

Am I sh*t outta luck?