Property Tax as a Tool for Effective and Sustainable Development (A Case Study of Minna Metropolis)

Abstract

The property tax is an important source of revenue for state and local governments. On average, property taxes account for about 75% of state and local government tax revenues in the Unites States. These revenues are used to fund education, police and fire protection and other government services (Charles T. Floyd and Marcus, T. Allen, 2005). In a research conducted in Minna East and Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, out of 150 people sampled about 35 people are aware of property rating which is a reliable source of local government finance. The remaining 115 people are ignorant of what property rating is all about. Also, at the State Inland Revenue office in Minna, only few property based taxes are in operation and collectible by this state constituted authority. The reason for this could be attributed to political, socio and economic problems associated with tax administration in the state. This paper emphasized the need to engage the services of estate surveyors and valuers as well as State Inland Revenue offices in our rating departments comprehensive enabling Edict, vigorous enlightenment campaigns, placing checks on multiplicity of rates and judicious use of tax should be juxtaposed with the provision of amenities and infrastructures among others. The paper concludes that, political will on the part of our government will in no small measure address the identified problems associated with property tax administration in the state.