View source for TycheDataGuide:TaxAbatementData


== What is Tax Abatement Data? ==
We use the term tax abatement data to mean any data that describes tax avoidance and voluntary tax compliance, through arrangements that are a function of an entity type (e.g. a non-profit organization) or an arrangement that an entity makes (e.g. incentives to build an organization or infrastructure in a particular area).

Tax abatement data can refer to:

* tax avoidance as a part of a development-related initiative
* voluntary payments in lieu of taxes from a government entity
* voluntary payments in lieu of taxes from a non-profit

Put simply, property and other taxes are typically governed using a formula that looks at a property's value and comparison properties; tax abatement data represents any scenario where a property owner does not have to pay according to the basic formula of the area.

== Where does it come from? ==
Tax abatement data could be maintained and distributed by several different sources.  A tax assessment department for a county or town could understand the difference between the value of a property and its tax burden and the amount that an owner actually has to pay.  A local industrial development agency (IDA) or similar economic development organization could maintain this data for any properties for which a development for tax relief arrangement has been made.

Some property-owning entities, both non-profits and governments, that own tax exempt land may make voluntary payments in lieu of taxes.  This data may be available through a city or county's Treasurers Office.

== What are the primary and secondary data elements? ==

* Property identifier(s)
* Owners - both individuals and incorporated entities
* Addresses - of both property and owners
* Tax abatement value over time - these are typically schedules that state the tax avoidance, year-by-year.  Tax avoidance may be measured in actual dollars (or other currency) or may be measured in percentages (percentage of taxes that may be avoided).
* Voluntary payments and their schedules

== What are questions you can answer with tax abatement data? ==

# What properties receive tax abatements?
# What property owners receive tax abatements?
# Which property owners make voluntary tax payments?
# What are tax abatement financial arrangements and are they standardized approaches?
# What is the value of tax abatements in aggregate? 

== Tips and tricks for using tax abatement data ==

* Authorities that are involved in tax abatement strategies may have codified their approaches to when and how much they offer.  Ask for any documents that outline common strategies