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# Land Value Tax Guide

Land value tax

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## Posts

- [15  Which Taxes?](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/which-taxes/) - In Part 1, on basic principles, I suggest that it is better to impose taxes on existing wealth rather than the wealth-creation process, and also that in general direct taxes are more honest than indirect taxes (often described as stealth taxes). This item brings these strands together under the question of which taxes might be
- [Individuals](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/individuals/) - Supporters listed here are prominent individuals, drawn internationally from the areas of Politics, Economics, Journalism or Academia, who have expressed support for LVT through published articles or academic papers. Click on the highlighted name to open the relevant article or website: 24.3.09. Prof. Iain McLean: Prof. of Politics, Oxford U.11.4.09.
- [06.  Unimproved Land Values](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/06-unimproved-land-values-2/) - The term ‘unimproved land value’ is widely employed in much writing on LVT, but can be misleading. What is intended is to make the distinction between a site that has been developed or built upon (improved) and a vacant site where no apparent development has taken place (unimproved). The problem with this term is that
- [04.  Industrial Land Values](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/04-industrial-land-values-2/) - In the explanation of Part 2, you may wonder why there is no mention of industrial land. This is because there is a big distinction to be made between ‘heavy’ and ‘light’ industry. For the purpose of the Part 2 explanation, light-industrial land comes under the heading of ‘commercial’. Heavy-industrial land is somewhat anomalous in
- [Organisations](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/organizations/) - Those listed here are non-affiliated organisations or media outlets that either support the idea of LVT or, though maintaining a neutral policy, enable the publication of pro-LVT articles by their own members or outside contributors. Organisations are subdivided into groups according to the country in which they are based. Click on the highlighted name to
- [11.  Other Economic Rent Collection Methods](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/11-the-economic-rent-in-advance/) - Economic Rent Collected in Advance As mentioned in the basic principles of Part 1, the economic rent of land arises inexorably and is collected by whoever is in control of the land, whether an individual or a government. This economic rent varies according to the productivity on each site, and is known by economists as
- [Nobel Laureates](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/nobel-laureates/) - 1970. Paul Samuelson http://course.earthrightsinstitute.org/?q=node/81#George 1976. Milton Friedman http://course.earthrightsinstitute.org/?q=node/81#George 1978. Herbert Simon http://savingcommunities.org/docs/simon.herbert/lvtendorsement.html 1981. James Tobin https://www.prosper.org.au/geoists-in-history/james-tobin/ 1985. Franco Modigliani http://www.wealthandwant.com/themes/quotable_nobels.htm 1986. James Buchanan http://www.wealthandwant.com/themes/quotable_nobels.htm 1987. Robert Solow http://www.wealthandwant.com/themes/quotable_nobels.htm 1996. William Vickrey http://www.wealthandwant.com/themes/quotable_nobels.htm 1996. James Mirrlees: Mirrlees Review, ‘Tax by Design’, p.373 https://www.ifs.org.uk/uploads/mirrleesreview/design/ch16.pdf 2001. Joseph Stiglitz https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2019/04/henry-georges-single-tax-could-combat-inequality/587197/
- [2.  Comparative land value diagrams for local authority regions in England](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/comparative-land-value-diagrams-for-local-authority-regions-in-england/) - The diagrams shown below are based on the data provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local government in its publication: ‘Land Value Estimates for Policy Appraisal 2019, Guidelines for Use’ The MOHCLG is careful to point out that the data is only suitable for ‘policy appraisal’. In the introductory page it provides the following
- [02.  Ownership of Land](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/02-ownership-of-land-2/) - The exercise of power in economic affairs invariably derives from ownership; whoever owns an enterprise or organisation will decide on the laws and procedures that govern it. Whoever owns the elements of production will set the conditions that lead to that production. This applies particularly to land, which is one of the two original elements
- [08.  Getting on the Property Ladder](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/08-getting-on-the-property-ladder-2/) - This expression arose from the time when ordinary homeowners realised that their home did not have value simply as somewhere to live, but also as an investment. It became evident that constantly increasing property values, reflected in house prices, provided, over the long term, a better return on capital than savings accounts, and at the
- [07.  Winners and Losers](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/07-winners-and-losers-2/) - Politicians are always averse to any change in taxation that will create losers who will cost them votes, so they tend to resort to indirect taxes where no obviously disadvantaged group can be identified. Although any change to LVT would create winners and losers, in any part of the economy where land was involved, it
- [09.  Affordable Housing](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/09-affordable-housing/) - As with any commodity, it is the combination of the price demanded and the financial means of the prospective buyer, that renders it affordable or not. Housing is no different. House prices have been rising inexorably at least since the 1960s and continue to do so, especially in the most sought after areas, such as
- [10.   Land Banking](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/10-land-banking/) - Land banking, also known as land hoarding, is nothing new but has become a more noticeable issue in recent years due to the increasing housing problem, which is seen as largely a matter of supply. House builders complain of the lack of access to––or the excessive cost of–– building sites, as the main reason for
- [12.  Typical Objections to LVT](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/12-typical-objections-to-lvt/) - These are some of the routine objections raised by opponents of LVT: LVT is a form of wealth confiscation. The ‘Poor Widow’ objection. Separate valuation of land would be too difficult. The following are my responses: 1. LVT is a Form of Wealth
- [13.  Obstacles to Implementing LVT](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/13-obstacles-to-implementing-lvt/) - There would be several formidable obstacles to the adoption of LVT. Resistance from landowners and speculators. General resistance to ‘wealth taxes’. Lack of Understanding of the principles of LVT. Political resistance. Academic resistance. 1. Resistance From Landowners and Speculators It is understandable that landowners would resist any system that would reduce the benefits they derive
- [14  The Single Tax Issue](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/14-the-single-tax-issue/) - Amongst economists who know about the land value tax, the term is often synonymous with 'The Single Tax', for that was seen as the main characteristic in the early days of its manifestation. In his book, Progress and Poverty, Henry George proposed that the land value tax should be the only tax. This single tax
- [05.  Agricultural Land Values](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/05-agricultural-land-values-2/) - In the explanation of Part 2, it can be seen that LVT is predominantly an urban rather than a rural tax, in the sense that by far the greater revenue would be derived from the former. Although rural land accounts for about 87% of Britain's total land area, it represents only about 5% of the
- [01.  Causes of Land Value](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/01-causes-of-land-value-2/) - In Part 2 the relationship between land values and location was shown to be fundamental, but within that context it is worth noting how land in general or sites in particular may acquire value. The primary causes affecting land values are:
- [Explanation Part 3](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/explanation-part-3-2/) - FURTHER ITEMS ON PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF LVT: The Causes of Land Value. Ownership of Land Resource Rents. Industrial Land Values. Agricultural Land Values. Unimproved Land Values. Winners and Losers. Getting on the Property Ladder. Affordable Housing. Land Banking. Other Economic Rent Collection Methods.
- [Book](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/book/) - 'With Inky Blots and Rotten Parchment––An Explanation of the Land Value Tax' Published in July 2022 and available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon and other worldwide booksellers For Amazon links, refer to: UK & Ireland: https://tinyurl.com/2rabth8y US & Canada: https://tinyurl.com/mpf9rcrr Australia & NZ: https://tinyurl.com/2ko36jfn The book is based on the information contained in this website, with
- [03.  Resource Rents](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/03-resource-rents-2/) - Amongst economists it is generally understood that the term ‘land’ includes all natural resources, all gifts of nature, natural forests, wildlife, minerals in the ground, fish in the sea etc. This definition raises the question of ownership, exploitation rights and also the concept of resource rents. Justice Cranston's ruling could apply equally to all natural
- [5.  Work, Gift and Theft](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/work-gift-and-theft-2/) - A discussion of ownership and property. This essay was first written in 2005. Edited versions were published in Resurgence magazine in March 2006, and Land and Liberty in Autumn, 2008. Apart from some minor amendments, the version here is un-abridged. On re-reading I believe the points made are still relevant; very little has changed; all
- [4.  The New Zealand Experience](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/new-zealand-experience/) - LVT – FOUND AND LOST Why was a successful system of LVT abandoned? Background history. Events leading to abandonment. Other suggested reasons for abandonment Conclusions and Comment Appendices Notes 1. Background history New Zealand holds a rather special status in that it was notably the first country to introduce a system of LVT for raising
- [3.  The Pittsburgh Experience](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/the-pittsburgh-experience/) - LVT – FOUND AND LOST Why was a successful LVT system abandoned? General background Inception, growth and decline Aftermath Conclusions and comment Appendix 1. Neoclassical economics Notes 1. General background. Before embarking on the story of LVT in Pittsburgh it is necessary to say a few words about the structure of taxes generally in the
- [Supporters](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/supporters/) - LVT SUPPORTERS (Non-affiliated) LVT supporters are listed under the headings, Individuals, Organisations and Nobel Laureates; in chronological order, according to the dates of published articles. Supporters listed differ from those referred to in the links of the Home page in that they are not affiliated with any declared Georgist or LVT organisations. Click on the headings in the above
- [17.  Definitions](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/17-definitions/) - The main purpose of this website is to communicate the ideas of LVT to those with no special knowledge of economics, and therefore I have used terms and meanings as they are generally understood in common usage. However there are in certain cases definitions used by economists that differ, and need to be explained. The
- [5.   20th Century History](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/5-20th-century-history/) - Henry George’s influence was extensive after the publication of Progress and Poverty. His ideas attracted many progressive thinkers and politicians of the time, not least of whom was a young Winston Churchill, who became a Liberal MP in 1904. However the forces of landed vested interests also recognised the threat to their power base and were
- [2. Taxation According to Means](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/2-taxation-according-to-means/) - Taxation according to means is an essential characteristic of any fair tax system. Where this happens the tax is described as ‘progressive’. With LVT the tax burden is imposed according to relative prosperity as measured by land values. The word relative is important here for the practicability of LVT depends on land value differentials. The theory is
- [18.  Quotations](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/18-quotations/) - In my opinion the least bad tax is the property tax on the unimproved value of land, the Henry George argument of many, many years ago’
- [16.  Welfare](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/16-welfare/) - Apart from the funding of public services, a great deal of taxation is related to the funding of benefits that come under the heading of welfare, designed basically to help those on low incomes, or in economic distress for whatever reason. Table 5 below shows 14 different forms of current benefits (including the state pension).
- [3.   Advantages of LVT](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/3-advantages-of-lvt/) - Regional Re-distribution In the UK, at the present time, a considerable amount of taxpayer’s money is spent on regional assistance schemes aimed at depressed areas, in order to encourage economic activity and a revival in fortunes for the populace in those areas. A national land value tax would automatically address this problem. It would
- [2.   Application of LVT](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/2-application-of-lvt-4/) - LVT may be described as a levy that society imposes for the exclusive occupation and use of a site. The use to which the site is put may or may not be for wealth-creation purposes. For instance, where a site is occupied for a purely residential purpose, the levy is still payable according to the value of
- [1.  Diagrammatic explanation of LVT](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/1-diagrammatic-explanation-of-lvt/) - A good way of explaining LVT is through a series of diagrams showing how land values arise from the first settlement of virgin territory through its evolution to a large community, and the best example of this is the settlement and development of North America. The column diagrams that follow show the economic growth
- [1.  Community Created Value.](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/1-community-created-value/) - This is the principle of returning to the community, by means of a tax or levy, the value that the community itself has created. This value is measured through land values, which are simply an indication of collective prosperity. With the growth of a community the value of any site will increase due to the
- [4.    Early History](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/4-early-history/) - LVT has never been introduced in Britain, although the idea has been discussed at both central and local government level, and on several occasions almost been implemented. An early history may be traced and summarised chronologically through the following events and publications: 1662. Publication of The Treatise on Taxes and Contributions by William
- [3.  A Direct Tax](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/3-a-direct-tax/) - LVT has the advantage of being a direct tax. One of the arguments against indirect taxes is that they are indiscriminate––they are paid equally by the rich and poor alike and are therefore unfair. However they are popular with governments, as they allow the people to believe that they are not really being taxed, they
- [Explanation Part 2](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/index-5/) - INDEX: 1. Diagrammatic explanation of LVT. 2. Application of LVT. 3. Advantages of LVT. 4. Early history. 5. 20th Century history.
- [4.  Simplicity and Clarity](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/4-simplicity-and-clarity/) - An important characteristic of LVT, which many other taxes do not enjoy, is its openness, clarity and predictability, which makes it a tax that would be difficult to avoid. With LVT, the basis of the tax would be obvious and apparent to all. Site values would be regularly
- [Explanation Part 1.](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/explanation-part-1-2/) - A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF BASIC PRINCIPLES I suggest that there are four basic principles or characteristics of LVT that may be expressed under the headings: Community created value. Taxation according to means. A direct tax. Simplicity and clarity.

## Pages

- [Home](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/) - Land Value Tax Guide - The primary purpose of this site is to explain to those with no particular knowledge of taxation or economics, the basic principles that lie behind Land Value Taxation (LVT)
- [More Links in UK & Ireland](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/more-links-in-uk/) - UK Lib-Dems ALTER Green Party Co-Operative Party Young People’s Party Tax Justice Network Scottish Land Revenue Group Landvaluescape Professional Land Reform group Land & Liberty Magazine Land is Free Taxpayers Against Poverty Henry George Society of Devon Henry George Society of Kent Earthsharing UK Global Justice Movement Renegade Economist Ethical Economics Publishing Bitbarn. (Land Value
- [More links, Aus. NZ. Eur.](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/more-links-aus-nz-eur/) - Australia Georgist Journal of Australia Western Australia. Valuation rolls Site Revenue Society. Queensland Georgist Education Association. Western Australia Dr Garrick Small, University of Technology, Sydney Phil Anderson, The 18.6-year cycle New Zealand New Economics Party Interest.co.nz Financial newsletter Ryan Greenaway-McGrevy, Auckland University Deirdre Kent Europe Danish Justice Party.
- [About](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/about/) - I'm Ian Hopton, the author of the site and a long-time advocate of land value taxation. The ideas and propositions expressed in the explanations are entirely my own, and may not necessarily be shared by the individuals and organisations referred to through the various links. I first came across the idea of land value taxation
- [More Videos](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/more-videos-links/) - LVT for WalesDave Wetzel, BBC interviewLand and Economic Rent: Dave Wetzel.Why we must Halt the Land Cycle, Martin WolfThe Killing Fields Introducing LVT LVT and Public InfrastructureReal Estate for RansomTaxes on PropertyGhost Towns 1, IrelandGhost Towns 2, Spain.Ghost Towns 3, USA.LVT and AgricultureThe Case for LVTMax Keiser interviews Fred Harrison Milton Friedman, interviewJill Stein, interviewEconomic Rent; Prof. Michael
- [More Links in USA](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/more-links-in-usa/) - USA Henry George School of Social Science Common Ground, USA
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- [More Books](https://landvaluetaxguide.com/more-books-links/) - 2004 Lie of the Land by Duncan Pickard
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