A growing movement to implement a nationwide property tax in China is meeting resistance from the rich and powerful.
"This year it seemed China was finally going to make headway on an idea familiar to U.S. homeowners: a property tax," according to Dominique Fong. Now it seems that possibility is no longer a political reality—for now at least.
"Lu Kehua, China’s vice housing minister, last month said the government needed to 'speed up' a property-tax law," to "tame" speculation in the real estate market and to provide revenue for local governments. Despite the support from a high-ranking official, "the annual National People’s Congress came and went this month with no discussion of the topic," according to Fong.
The political opposition to the idea of a property tax comes from wealthy and politically powerful Chinese residents—a difficult group to win over in any country. The political opposition to the property tax idea claims it does not want to slow the economy by imposing new changes to the country's tax structure.
There have been a few property tax experiments in the country since 2011. As Fong reports, property taxes in Chongqing and Shanghai, both unique in their approach, were considered failures.
[The Wall Street Journal article might be behind a paywall for some readers.]
FULL STORY: China Kicks Property Tax to the Curb—For Now
Fast-Rising Rents: Cause or Effect of Institutional Real Estate Investors?
More media attention for the growing influence of large, institutional investors on the housing market.
The Dutch to Crack Down on Large Investors in the Housing Market
Several Dutch cities are planning to limit the reach of large investors in the housing market by limiting the resale of cheap or mid-priced homes.
Understanding the 'Dark Store Theory' Costing Local Governments Millions in Property Tax
The New York Times takes a deep dive into the "dark store theory" costing local municipalities millions, and potentially more, in property tax revenues all over the country.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
Los Angeles County is creating a Heat Action Plan to help communities stay safe during extreme heat, with steps like adding more shade, improving buildings, and supporting the neighborhoods most at risk.
Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
The state will use low-cost interventions to improve road safety in five Maryland counties.
Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)