Property Taxes

Sources of Government Revenue in the OECD, 2023 Update

Designing tax policy in a way that sustainably finances government activities while minimizing distortions is important for supporting a productive economy.

State Tax Policy as an Inflation Response

At the end of 2022, prices were 14.6 percent higher than they were two years prior. That’s the fastest inflation rate over any two calendar years since the stagflation era of the late 1970s. State policymakers are understandably interested in bringing any tools at their disposal to bear on the problem. And many of them are reaching for tax policy solutions.

West Virginia Is Being Left Behind on Tax Relief

West Virginia is one of only seven states that hasn’t offered any significant tax relief since 2021—and five of the other six forgo an individual income tax.

Iowa Proposal to Rein in Property Taxes Misses the Mark

On the heels of adopting one of the most comprehensive state tax reform packages in years, Iowa lawmakers are back in Des Moines with property tax relief in their sights. But while the issue is worthy of their attention, House File 1 (HF 1) as currently drafted misses the mark.

Spain’s Race to the Bottom in the International Tax Competitiveness Index

Since 2020, Spain has dropped from 26th to 34th on the International Tax Competitiveness due to multiple tax hikes, new taxes, and weak performances in all five index components.

Colombia Is in Urgent Need of Pro-Growth Comprehensive Tax Reform

Colombia should consider shifting its planned tax reforms from harmful corporate and individual taxes to less harmful consumption taxes.

State Tax Ballot Measures to Watch on Election Day 2022

From income tax changes to cannabis legalization and taxation, here’s what voters decided on Election Day.

International Tax Competitiveness Index 2022

While there are many factors that affect a country’s economic performance, taxes play an important role. A well-structured tax code is easy for taxpayers to comply with and can promote economic development while raising sufficient revenue for a government’s priorities.

West Virginia Voters Will Determine the Scope of Potential State Tax Reform

West Virginia Amendment 2 would not directly reduce tangible personal property taxes—on cars, inventory, or machinery and equipment. It would, however, empower the legislature to consider such reforms.

Tax

Property Taxes by State and County, 2022

Property taxes are the primary tool for financing local government and generating state-level revenue in some states as well.

Taxes and the UK’s new Prime Minister

In an already-challenging economic environment, new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss must get tax rates correct to avoid over-burdening a population and business sector facing immense uncertainty. Focusing only on rates while ignoring the base misses an opportunity for real, pro-growth reform.

Unpacking the State and Local Tax Toolkit: Sources of State and Local Tax Collections (FY 2020)

The mix of tax sources states choose can have important implications for both revenue stability and economic growth, and the many variations across states are indicative of the different ways states weigh competing policy goals.

Tax Reform Options to Improve Wisconsin’s Competitiveness

Given the state’s strong budget surplus and projected continued revenue growth, Wisconsin is in a prime position to enact pro-growth reforms to improve the state’s competitive standing for decades to come.

Wisconsin Losing Ground to Tax-Friendly Peers

While Wisconsin has long been one of the highest-tax states in the nation, that distinction is increasingly detrimental as businesses and individuals enjoy increased economic and geographic mobility.

Pondering Property Taxes

Property taxes are highly unpopular and can get extremely confusing. But when done right, they can be quite good. We talk through what a well structured property tax should look like, which states have good property tax structures in place and which ones don’t, and how these taxes impact a state’s competitiveness in an increasingly mobile economy.

Ranking Property Taxes on the 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index

Which states have the highest property taxes in 2022? See how your state compares in property taxes across the United States

The Three Basic Tax Types

The better you understand taxes, the better equipped you are to make decisions about them. All taxes can be divided into three basic types: taxes on what you buy, taxes on what you earn, and taxes on what you own.

Wealth Taxes in Europe, 2022

Only three European OECD countries levy a net wealth tax, namely Norway, Spain, and Switzerland.

History of Taxes

Learn where and when taxes originated and how they resemble taxes we have today. Understand how the American tax code developed from the beginning of the colonies. Learn about some of the weirder taxes throughout history, designed not just to raise revenue, but influence behavior too.