From Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors' webpage "What is GPAR?":
The Association has always been an advocate of private property owners, as well as an ardent crusader against government spending and unnecessary real estate tax increases... In April 2000, GPAR succeeded in its legislative attempts promoting the constitutional right to hang “SOLD” signs in Philadelphia. That same year, ten-year real estate tax abatements for new residential construction, home improvements and commercial, industrial and deteriorated properties were reached legislatively.
So far so bad...
The Association has recently supported legislation written by the Philadelphia City Controller's Office examining the implementation of a Land Value Tax. It is strongly believed that this form of taxation can eliminate onerous taxes such as the wage tax, real estate tax, business privilege taxes, etc.
As of April 11, 2002, GPAR was instrumental in a major campaign to lower the city wage tax and successfully lobbied Philadelphia City Council resulting in a 16-0 unanimous decision to pass the legislation.
Wot?
Spotted by Stuart King at HPC.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Wonders never cease!
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9 comments:
What's the problem? They successfully lobbied for tax on wages to be lowered, most people would regard that as a good thing. It seems, generally, they're about letting people keep their hard earned rather than see it disappear in to maws of governments.
TCO, that's all splendid but I meant the paragraph before that.
It all depends what a "real estate tax" is. It seems likely that it is not a form of LVT, because it is listed as an "onerous" tax that LVT will be replacing.
B, it means a tax on land AND buildings.
Well that's reasonable. With a tax on land and buildings, you are penalised in the form of higher taxes for any improvements you make, whereas with LVT you are not.
B, and estate agents like stuff being rebuilt and resold or relet. But at least they have realised that there are benefits to LVT which outweigh their client's narrow interests.
LVT is quite common in Pennsylvania according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_value_tax_in_the_United_States. Most cities, however, have a 2 rate tax - higher on land values and lower on improvements.
G, yes of course, the Americans are a lot more clued up on this than we are.
MW, yeah, I guess I knew really it was the paragraph before the bit about lowering the city wage tax. I guess I got to that bit and thought "they aren't all bad then".
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