Legal Definitions - betterment tax

Betterment Tax

Betterment tax is a tax that is collected to fund the improvement of highways and other public infrastructure.

For example, if a city decides to widen a road or build a new highway, they may impose a betterment tax on the property owners who will benefit from the improvement. The tax is based on the increase in the value of the property due to the improvement.

Another example is if a municipality decides to install new streetlights or sidewalks in a neighborhood, they may impose a betterment tax on the property owners in that area.

The examples illustrate how betterment tax is used to fund public infrastructure improvements. The tax is collected from property owners who will benefit from the improvement, and it is based on the increase in the value of their property. This ensures that those who benefit from the improvement are the ones who pay for it, rather than the entire community.