Whiteley: “We Urge Everyone To Appeal Their Assessment And Record Their Hearing Whenever They Feel Their Assessed Property Value Does Not Match Current Fair Market Value”

The following letters are both from H. LeRoy Whiteley, Jr., president of Marylanders for Fair Property Taxation:

On January 25, 2011, we notified you that Senator Barry Glassman has filed bill SB 69 Property Tax – Assessment Appeal Hearings – Right to Record. This bill has been assigned to the Budget and Taxation Committee with a Senate hearing changed to February 2, 2011 beginning at 1:00 o’clock. We urge everyone to write or e-mail the Budget and Taxation Chair Kasemeyer, Vice-Chair McFadden and committee members as well as your respective legislators asking for support of this bill. E-mail addresses are in this format followed by @senate.state.md.us

edward.kasemeyer, nathaniel.mcfadden, david.brinkley, richard.colburn, ulysses.currie, james.degrange, george.edwards, verna.jones, nancy.king, richard.madeleno, roger.manno, douglas.peters, james.robey

Delegate Kathy Szelgia will cross-file this bill in the House. This bill, largely an amendment to existing property owners’ rights regarding assessment hearings at the First (assessor) and Second (PTAAB) Property Assessment Appeals Board levels will authorize a taxpayer to record property tax appeal hearings at the taxpayer’s expense. Currently, assessors and PTAAB boards inconsistently address this issue. One never knows whether they will be allowed to record their hearing since the decision has heretofore been at the discretion of the State. No firm direction, regulation, or law has been in place creating yet another non-uniform condition for taxpayers filing appeals. There is no assurance from one jurisdiction to another as to whether you would be allowed to record or not. This creates a dilemma for property owners owning property in more than one jurisdiction.

Recording your hearing has no legal value. However, we urge everyone to appeal their assessment and record their hearing whenever they feel their assessed property value does not match current fair market value. Few, if any, of us can write as fast as people are talking. Most of us cannot take shorthand. Therefore, recording gives us a learning tool whereby we can later listen to both sides of an appeal argument and prepare to do a better job if we pursue the next level of appeal when a lower level failed to produce the results we sought. All Tax Court hearings are recorded by the Court and do have legal value for further appeal to Circuit Court if desired. Copies of Tax Court hearings are available for the current price of $10.00

This should be a no brainer BUT warm bodies in support would be helpful. We understand the PTAAB folks will not oppose but have not heard anything about SDAT.

Wear Red
Remember, Nothing Happens Unless We Make It Happen!!

Roy Whiteley, Founder

Also from Whiteley:

Hello All

The Administration has quietly slipped in a government increasing bill that will be heard this Tuesday February 2, 2011 This proposed measure SB 55 Increasing the number of alternate PTAAB members will be heard before the Budget and Taxation Committee starting at 1:00PM in the Senate Office building. We urge all that can attend to do so and oppose this power grabbing move. Also show your support for SB 69 to be heard at the same place and starting time which would give all taxpayers the right to record their assessment hearings if they so desire. Full bill text can be found on the web site www.maryland.gov under the General Assembly heading

Come out and show your colors. Wear Red

If you cannot attend please express your support for SB 69 and opposition to SB 55 to Budget and Taxation Committee Chairman Kasemeyer and committee members. E-mails can be addressed with the following names followed by @senate.state.md.us

edward.kasemeyer, nathaniel. mcfadden, david.brinkley, richard.colburn, ulysses.curie, james.degrange, george.edwards, verna.jones, nancy.king, richard.madeleno, roger.manno, douglas.peters, james.robey

Thank You. Roy Whiteley, Founder

Support for SB 69 – Assessment Appeal Hearings – Right to Record

Opposition to SB 55 – Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board – Membership