Taxes on real estate- an effective economic management tool in many countries worldwide and lessons for Vietnam

Abstract

The state budget is a crucial political task for governments, with taxes being a significant source of revenue. In developed nations, property taxes constitute the primary source in total tax revenue and local budgets. Vietnam currently does not levy property taxes on real estate but only imposes taxes on agricultural land use and non-agricultural land use based on very low predetermined land values. Introducing property taxes not only generates a substantial and sustainable source of revenue for the budget but also helps curb speculation in land and real estate, promoting transparency in asset ownership. Due to a lack of comprehensive and standardized legal, technical, and economic statistics, and the rapidly changing market prices for land and real estate, formulating property tax laws in Vietnam has been challenging. Despite significant differences in conditions compared to other countries, property taxes are deemed essential in the near future. Researching theoretical foundations and the experiences of other nations in real estate tax laws, especially those undergoing economic transitions like Vietnam, is crucial. It is known that this tax has been under thorough examination to gradually develop, enact, and implement it in line with practical needs and, most importantly, to garner public and societal consensus.