[marksbrown]

The 'simplest' method is to allow landowners to declare the value of the land they own. Tax based on this value and let governments buy at the stated land value. Everything else is fluff.

[greyface-]

Only allowing government repurchase makes the system vulnerable to corruption - make a backroom deal with a government official and extract a promise not to buy, then declare at $1. A system where anyone can purchase the property at the declared value is more robust.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harberger_Tax

[RandomLensman]

Why are generally forced land sales to the government a desirable thing?

[marksbrown]

In the UK we allow it for various national infrastructure projects. This approach would allow for far better estimates of costs.

[paulryanrogers]

Won't that lead to suspiciously low valuations, very strong eminent domain laws, and a black market of sales at higher than valued prices?

[AnimalMuppet]

"Government can buy it at the stated value" does not lead to very low valuations, no.

[mothballed]

Even simpler is to not have property taxes and forget the rigmarole of assessing or self-assessing values.