Search

The article presents a case study which examined the property taxation in Pennsylvania and the International Association of Assessing Officers' (IAAO) Standard on Property Tax Policy, Standard on Mass Appraisal of Real Property and Standard on Oversight Agency Responsibilities. Topics include the state's decentralized and complex property tax system and the endorsement by state courts including the Supreme Court of the IAAO standards.

This paper discusses the growth of wind power generation in the United States. As wind power has spread, states have used different methods for valuing wind farms for property taxation. Generation of electricity by wind takes two forms: in utility-grade generation, large turbines, usually in farms, are designed to produce electricity for the grid, and in distributed generation, smaller units are not connected to the grid but are designed to generate power for a business, manufacturing complex, agriculture, or local networks. Only utility-grade generation is considered here. The valuation methods used in the principal wind states are described. Also, a more detailed analysis of alternative methods of valuation is presented. Finally, specific issues for assessors to consider in valuing wind farms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on exempting charitable organizations from property taxation. 1.5 million nonprofits registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2008, as reported by the National Center for Charitable Statistics. The nonprofit share of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) was 5.4 percent in 2008. Tax-exempt organizations provide services like sanitation, public safety, public works and transportation.

The article focuses on the ad valorem taxation of coal-mining property in West Virginia and other Appalachian states. It explores how well the ad valorem tax on coal property complies with the good tax standards. It mentions the process of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and several trends and issues related to ad valorem taxation of coal interests. It indicates that restrictions on property tax rates have caused local governments to employ sales and income taxes or fees.

The article examines the relationship between property taxation and equity in public school finance. It states that the primary use of property taxes supports the primary and secondary education in the U.S. It also discusses the importance of property taxation. It highlights court cases for the past 40 years that affected the usage of property tax in paying for local schools.