Virginia House Bill HJR40

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Land value; DHCD to study tax implications of local governing bodies implementing a tax.

Impact

The study mandated by HJR40 seeks to evaluate several crucial aspects: it will determine the current revenue that localities in Virginia receive from property taxes, assess how these revenues may change under a land value tax regime, analyze potential economic impacts on the citizens of the Commonwealth, and explore any constitutional challenges that may arise from this tax system. The Department of Housing and Community Development is expected to provide a comprehensive report to the Governor and the General Assembly, shedding light on whether such a tax implementation could bring about overall benefits or issues for local economies.

Summary

HJR40 is a resolution that calls for the Department of Housing and Community Development to conduct a study on the tax implications of local governing bodies implementing a land value tax system. The resolution begins by acknowledging the nature of a land value tax, which levies taxes based on the value of the land itself rather than improvements made to it, such as buildings. The principle behind this taxation approach is to incentivize development while discouraging speculative investments in land, as has been practiced in numerous Pennsylvania cities.

Contention

While HJR40 aims to investigate a potentially transformative taxation method, discussions around its implications are likely to evoke varying sentiments among stakeholders. Supporters may argue that a land value tax could provide a fairer distribution of tax burdens by focusing on land ownership rather than improvements. Conversely, there are concerns that introducing such a tax could create fiscal stress for some citizens and local governments, especially if not implemented with adequate safeguards. The resolution's requirement for stakeholder involvement reflects an understanding of the diverse opinions and potential pushback from those affected by such changes.