Re: Land News

On Oct 17, 3:09 pm, ro...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 08:11:20 -0700, Ron Peterson <r...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Even if an entity isn't abusing the status, why should it be exempt
from the real estate tax?

It should only be exempt to the extent that the land is designated for
non-profit use only. I.e.,. it is a public policy decision regarding
that land. Certainly non-profits should not be exempted from property
taxes, and then be able to turn around and sell the land into the
profitable-use market for huge capital gains.

My question is why non profits should be exempt from property tax.

High rise buildings may not be a fire hazard but the fire departments
have to buy special equipment to combat fires that might occur.

But the same sort of thing can be said about many different kinds of
land use and many different public services and infrastructure. It's
impossible to keep track of all the different public costs and
benefits associated with each user's use of each land parcel, and also
unnecessary: the net benefit to the landowner is measured by the land
value.

Does putting a high-rise building on land increase the value of the
land?

Should that airspace then be taxed?

As a scarce natural resource that commands rent, yes.

Should land with high-rise buildings be taxed more than land without?

--
Ron

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