Inside This Issue:

Florida's Property Tax Reform Saga Continues

The historic passage of new tax caps by Florida
voters has prompted a lawsuit over the unequal treatment of homestead and other property. Taxes
are capped for residents who live in their homes full
time at 3%, while snowbirds and businesses get a
10% cap starting next year.

Meanwhile, the Florida Legislature is expected to challenge the mandatory filing requirement for the
10% tax cap.

Get the full story

Missouri - Property Tax is Legislature's
Hot Topic

Missouri lawmakers are considering several proposals
to reform the state’s property tax system. One plan
(SB 711) limits ad valorem tax revenues, requires voter approval for new tax hikes and provides property owners earlier notification of their estimated tax.

The Legislature is also looking over recommendations from a special task force that gathered reform suggestions from citizens statewide.

Get the full story

Washington D.C. - Tax Relief for Businesses

Businesses in the District could get future property tax
reductions in the form of lower rates, but there’s a
catch. Tax rates will only be lowered if actual revenues
exceed annual projections.

The City Council and Mayor approved Bill 17-20 and it's
now undergoing a Congressional review.

Get the full story

Washington State - Bills Boost Taxpayer Rights

Washington has one of the highest burden-of-proof
standards in the nation. Current law presumes the value assigned by the assessor is correct.

Two bills now before the Legislature (HB 2977 and
SB 6517) shift the presumption of correctness and thereby lower the bar for taxpayers filing appeals.

Get the full story

Wyoming Tax Reform Fails

Sponsors hoped to introduce several bills to reduce
assessments and lower property taxes for Wyoming
taxpayers during the current budget session. However,
no new legislation garnered enough support.

Except for the budget bill, any other proposed
legislation requires a two-thirds vote of the House
or Senate for introduction.

March 2008

TAX ALERT!

Indiana - Marion County Values Skyrocket - Average Increase More Than 33%

The state-ordered reassessment in Marion County resulted in dramatically higher values for commercial and industrial property owners.

For the county as a whole, values are 33.3% higher and in some townships, the average increase is almost 39%.

Here’s what you should know:

• New 2007 tax bill will serve as your notice of value
• Informal reviews with township assessors are eliminated this year
• Appeal deadline is 45 days after the issuance of the new 2007 tax bill

Since this mass re-appraisal was performed in a very short timeframe, mistakes will occur.

More details on the Marion County reassessment, including
common problems to watch out for, are available in our most recent Midwest Tax Alert.

High-impact, time sensitive or urgent tax issues you will want to know about immediately!

·  New critical legislation
·  Appeal deadline changes
·  Tax compliance rule changes
·  Court rulings directly affecting
    your tax values

Choose Your Area of Interest...
Subscribe to our national list
and get coast-to-coast coverage, or select only those regions that are important to you.