i8 
THE A B C OF TAXATION 
Based upon the foregoing ratio, the following con 
servative estimate of the gross land value of Boston is 
submitted for scrutiny and criticism: 
A CONSERVATIVE CALCULATION OF BOSTON’S GROUND RENT 
If the assessed valuation* of Boston’s land 
for 1907, which is in round numbers 
Is five-sixths of its selling value, then the 
addition of one-fifth .... 
Would give us as the net selling value 
Adding to this the capitalised value of the 
amount of tax now on the land, $15.90 
per thousand on $653,000,000, or 
$10,382,000 at twenty years’ purchase ** . 
Would give us as the true capitalised ground 
rental value...... 
Add moderate estimate for franchises, say 
And we should have as a basis of assessment 
under the single tax a total capitalised 
ground-rental value of at least. 
At 5 per cent this would indicate for Boston 
a ground rent of 
$653,000,000 
130,600,000 
$783,600,000 
207,600,000 
$991,200,000 
108,800,000 
$1,100,000,000 
$55,000,000 
or considerably more that double the total taxes 
of Boston.! 
*The official figures arc: 
Valuation 
Rate 
Tax 
Land . 
$652,995,30x3 
$15.90 
$10,382,700 
Buildings ..... 
417,869,400 
15.90 
6,646,200 
Personalty ..... 
242,606,857 
I 5-9° 
3.857,435 
$L3i3>47M57 
t Boston’s income from taxation for 1907 was: 
Land values ....... 
$20,886,335 
$10,382,628 
Buildings and other improvements 
6,644,121 
Personal estate 
3,857449 
Polls 
369,966 
Corporation taxes 
1,087,793 
Liquor licences 
1,079,585 
Boston’s total city tax (including state tax) 
$*3,4*1.54* 
**See p. 24, lines 21-24 and p. 32, lines 8-13, and p. 41 (g).