What are the taxes imposed on homeowners for property improvements called?

The correct answer is special assessments. These are specific taxes imposed on property owners to finance public improvements or services that benefit the properties in a defined area, such as new roads, sidewalks, or sewer systems. Special assessments are additional charges that homeowners pay in accordance to the estimated benefit their property receives from these improvements. This makes them unique, as they are not applied to all properties universally but are tailored based on the specific enhancements completed in a neighborhood or district.

In contrast, general taxes, property taxes, and impact fees refer to broader categories of taxation or fees. General taxes are typically levied uniformly for various governmental services and do not specifically relate to property enhancements. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of real estate and fund public services but are not directly tied to individual property improvements. Impact fees are one-time charges for new developments to offset the cost of additional public service demands, rather than being assessments based on improvements made to existing properties.