In addition to being more economically efficient, proponents argue that the land value tax provides an incentive for development. The evidence to support this conclusion is limited by the availability of data within the United States. Economists Oates and Schwab in a 1997 paper find a positive association between adoption of land value taxation and building activity in Pittsburgh. In a 2000 paper, economists Plassmann and Tidemann use data from 15 Pennsylvania municipalities and find a direct, positive relationship between the tax differential between land and improvements and the number of building permits. In other words, under a split-rate system, Plassmann and Tideman find evidence that the higher the land tax in relation to the improvements tax, the more building activity occurs.
Elimination of the inefficient property tax system in the U.S. would be challenging because of the importance of the tax revenue to state and local governments. Property taxes are the largest single source of revenue for state and local governments, accounting for over one-third of all revenue. Opponents of the land value tax also argue that it encourages overdevelopment. The land value tax was largely blamed for the overdevelopment of Waikiki. Although unwanted higher density was most likely the result of poor planning rather than the land value tax, the county of Hawaii abolished the land value tax in 2002.
A recent study, Assessing the Theory and Practice of Land Value Taxation, lays out a framework for implementing the land tax. Another study, Land Value Taxation – Theory, Evidence, and Practice, includes an exhaustive discussion of legal issues that need to be overcome in each state in order to implement the land value tax. The legal and political challenges of changing the current property tax system are daunting.
In spite of these challenges, Connecticut signed into law this June a pilot program allowing three municipalities the option of implementing a land value tax. The success or failure of the program will likely determine the programs expansion within the state.
View this original post on the NAHB Eye on Housing blog.
