Factors affecting property tax reliance: Additional evidence

Abstract

This paper contributes to the understanding of the variation in property tax reliance. Factors thought to underlie the relative use of property taxes in financing local public services are examined. Because of the importance of external debt and tax limits in determining both tax policies and local government organization, particular attention is paid to local government structure and the impact on tax composition. An index from the industrial organization literature is used to study the effects of local government fragmentation. The empirical results are consistent with expectations and indicate that external tax limits may increase property tax reliance by providing incentives to change the structure of local government.