Hugh's Brain

Tianbo

2 min read

Tianbo

Compiled Truth

Tianbo is an independent economist and researcher contracted by UBI Works / SES to model land value tax (LVT) and UBI tax policy impacts. He uses BC Assessment data and SPSDM (Social Policy Simulation Database and Model) for quantitative modelling. He was onboarded in early 2026 (Scrumban task completed 2026-02-11). His key area is incidence analysis — who gains and loses under LVT shifts, modelled by income decile. Key finding (May 2026): lower-income households face greater burden from LVT due to higher land-to-net-worth ratios; ~50% would lose from the tax change. He also attends academic conferences (CREC, replication games). [Source: compiled from Zoom meeting summaries, 2026-02-11 through 2026-05-26]

Research Focus

  • LVT and UBI tax policy macro modelling (BC Assessment data, SPSDM)
  • Income incidence analysis by decile
  • Identification of vulnerable populations (mortgage defaulters, inherited property holders)
  • Split-rate property tax transition modelling

Key Findings (as of May 2026)

  • ~50% of lower-income households would lose under LVT due to high land-to-net-worth ratios [Source: Zoom meeting, 2026-05-26]
  • Challenged prior UBI Works assumptions: UBI tax model → ↑ labor supply → ↓ wages, ↑ rents (unexpected) [Source: Zoom meetings, ~April 2026]

Timeline

  • 2026-02-11 | Onboarded as UBI Works researcher (Scrumban task completed). [Source: projects/scrumban/2026-02-11-onboard-tianbo]
  • 2026-04-22 | Mentioned in UBI Works meeting as research collaborator. [Source: meetings/ubi-works-meeting-2026-04-22]
  • 2026-04-28 | Project updates and Q1 review — LVT BC integrated model referenced as a current project. [Source: meetings/2026-04-28-UBIWorks-Project-Updates-and-Q1-Review]
  • 2026-05-01 | Liam planned to validate new set of models with Tianbo at 2pm meeting. [Source: meetings/2026-05-01-ubi-works-councillor-lvt-briefing]
  • 2026-05-15 | Macro model review meeting — LVT incidence by high/low income taxpayers discussed. [Source: meetings/2026-05-15-zoom-meeting-19e2cb46]
  • 2026-05-26 | Presented income and land value tax incidence analysis using BC Assessment data. ~50% of lower-income HHs lose under LVT. Identified vulnerable populations (mortgage defaulters, inherited property holders). Attended CREC conference in Montreal. US students showing increased interest in Canadian institutions due to US political developments. Requested trade-off visualizations (LVT magnitude vs. introduction rate: housing units produced vs. decapitalization). Has 6-day trip abroad starting following Monday. Referenced in ubi-works-meeting-2026-05-26-tianbo-liam. [Source: Zoom meeting, 2026-05-26]

See Also

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