A Primer on Property Tax (PDF)

'The chapters in this book explore in detail the choices
regarding both the structure and administration of the property
tax, drawing on the extensive knowledge the authors have acquired
in studying property taxes around the world. The chapters provide a
wide-ranging treatment of the design choices and administrative
tasks, both in terms of the breadth of design options and
administrative tasks covered and the depth of the discussion.
The authors describe the range of design choices, discuss the
associated issues and the advantages and disadvantages for each,
and present the criteria to help choose among the
options.'

From the book's Foreword by David L. Sjoquist, Professor
of Economics and Dan E. Sweat Scholar Chair in Educational and
Community Policy, Georgia State University

Property taxation is a key element in providing a solid
foundation and a stable funding source for basic public
services.

Developing and implementing a property tax system is a complex
task. This complexity is compounded by the diversity of legal,
cultural and historical contexts of policymakers and tax
administrators. The World Development Report (1999-2000),
Entering the 21st Century puts fiscal decentralization at
the top of the development agenda. This makes local taxation - and
especially the property tax option - of critical importance to both
tax and land policy, as well as the broader development agenda.

A Primer on Property Tax: Administration and Policy
provides the reader with an analysis of issues surrounding property
tax, including economics, law, public finance, decentralisation,
valuation, GIS and property tax reform. A key strength of the book
lies in the vast international experience of the authors and the
book will provide for the first time material which is topical,
cutting-edge and highly relevant to many of the disciplines
involved in property taxation.

The authors examine the criteria applied to evaluate the
strengths and weaknesses of property tax, discuss the main
valuation methods and the economic principles underpinning them and
review the legal and administrative aspects of property tax
worldwide.