Vacancy tax

A vacancy tax is a type of excise, or use tax, on properties, either commercial or residential, that are unoccupied or vacant, for a specified amount of time. [1]

Jurisdictions may choose to implement vacancy taxes as a means to incentivize property usage, increase housing supply in areas with high residential vacancy rates, disincentivize real estate speculation, and to incentivize landlords to lower rents sufficiently to fill empty commercial or residential properties.

Depending on the jurisdiction and specific implementation, these taxes may apply to any combination of seasonal “vacation” homes, empty investment properties, unoccupied rental units, or commercial properties.

  1. ^ "Vacancy Taxes: The Next Frontier In Housing Policy?". wbur.org. Retrieved September 21, 2024.