*External Contributors

The Public Finance Effects of the Italian Ghost Buildings Program

by Enrico Rubolino

Does informality hold back tax progressivity, that is, the capacity to tax the rich at a higher rate than the poor? The optimal (and fair) distribution of the tax burden has long been a key issue in both academic and policy circles.

In a new paper, I study whether reducing informality by tackling tax evasion leads policy makers to increase statutory tax progressivity. I take advantage of the Italian “Ghost Buildings” program, which is a policy that identified buildings not registered in the land registry.

Shared Truth

by Steve Sklar

Apparently, cyberattacks do not only involve computer programming. There is a thing called perception hacking, a name for the kind of disinformation campaign that starts online and seeks to sow distrust and division deeply and widely in a society. In the run up to the… Read More »Shared Truth

Green Acres

by Frank de Jong

Land Value Taxation (LVT) would level the playing field between new farmers and established mortgage-free farmers who presently have a huge (‘I was on the island first’) advantage.

By untaxing jobs and improvements, LVT would bias towards labor-intensive, structure-intensive, value-added farming; this would mean a bias towards organic farms (which both uses less land and uses it more intensively).

Moving the Land to Those Who Will Use It

by Joshua Vincent

“Could I begin life again, knowing what I now know, and had money to invest, I would buy every foot of land on the island of Manhattan.”

So wrote one of the original robber barons of the early nineteenth century. Yet almost 200 years later, the idea of holding land as a road to riches is alive and well in New York City. Though, of course, owning land is not so bad when the owner also uses it productively, provides employment, or builds affordable houses. But owning ground to make money on it while doing nothing to it is a problem New York doesn’t need.

In 2022, New York City is facing a new onslaught from the financial sector and their hedge fund billions. The city is enormous––700 square miles. But under the current cruel system, struggling families and small businesses have the nearly impossible task of finding a decent location to live or do business.

The LVT Playbook: So, How Do You Build a Land Value Tax?

by Joshua Vincent

Imagine speaking to a Mayor and City Council. They accept the idea of a two-rate land value tax (LVT), meaning a higher tax on land assessments and a lower tax on building assessments.

They agree LVT is a worthwhile change. However, keep in mind that the city will raise the same revenue as from its current one-rate property tax.

UBI self-defeating unless funded by rental value capture – Point A

by Frank de Jong

A universal basic income (UBI) is an idea whose time has definitely come, especially considering the devastating COVID-19 related business and job disruptions. As well as covering basic costs for the duration of the pandemic, a UBI can and will help businesses retool, restructure and… Read More »UBI self-defeating unless funded by rental value capture – Point A

A Tax That Boosts The Economy

by admin

By: Victor Ramirez Like the iconic scene of Clint Eastwood in the Wild West facing two gunmen in a three-way duel and whoever shoots first is at a disadvantage, such is the nature of real estate construction. It is in each property owner’s interest that… Read More »A Tax That Boosts The Economy

Compensating for Lost Revenue During COVID 19

by admin

by Fred Foldvary and Nicolaus Tideman Governments owe compensation for the losses that individuals and companies incur from the temporary shutdowns that they, these governments, have imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The compensation they owe must be on-going compensation rather than the one-time… Read More »Compensating for Lost Revenue During COVID 19

Affordable Housing

by admin

by Lindy Davies It has been generally assumed, for many years, that “the free market isn’t good at providing affordable housing.” If the free market can’t satisfy that basic, universal human need, then we can’t afford to trust the free market, can we? Oddly, the… Read More »Affordable Housing