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Current 2023 Session

Senate Bill 0001


Senate Bill 0001

ARCHIVE (2004)

Latest Information

DIGEST OF SB1 (Updated December 4, 2003 12:18 pm - DI 84)


Property taxes. Authorizes investment of state funds, including the common school fund, in certain obligations of the Indiana bond bank. Authorizes the department of local government finance (DLGF) to take over the 2003 general reassessment process (including the equalization study) in a county if the county's equalization study was not submitted to the department before October 20, 2003 or if DLGF determines that the county's reassessment is likely to be inaccurate. Requires the property tax liability payable in 2006 and thereafter on residential rental properties that have more than 4 rental units to be computed using the lowest assessed valuation determined by applying each of the following appraisal techniques: (1) cost approach; (2) sales comparison approach; and (3) income capitalization approach. Provides that the gross rent multiplier method is the preferred method for valuing rental properties that have fewer than 5 rental units and mobile homes. Provides that after December 31, 2004, the sales disclosure forms and data forwarded by local assessors to DLGF and the legislative services agency must be provided in electronic format. Provides that money in the assessment training fund may be used to cover expenses incurred by DLGF for training and examination programs. With respect to property taxes payable on homesteads, and upon petition of the county fiscal body, the county auditor, and the county treasurer, authorizes DLGF to: (1) establish a schedule of installment payments for taxes payable in 2004 or thereafter; or (2) waive late payment penalties for taxes payable in 2004. For property taxes and special benefits taxes payable after 2003 and based on the most recent general reassessment, adjusts maximum rates that were not adjusted for taxes payable in 2003. Provides for an adjustment of the maximum rate each time an annual assessed value adjustment or a general reassessment takes effect. Eliminates the banking of unused levy allowances in calculating the maximum permissible property tax levy for a civil taxing unit and for certain funds. Eliminates authority to adjust assessed values to reflect the effects of appeals of assessments. Provides that the initial step in the appeal of a property assessment is a written request by the taxpayer for a preliminary conference with a county or township assessing official. Provides that the written request need not be on a DLGF form. Notwithstanding a property assessment agreed to by the township assessor and the taxpayer in resolution of an appeal to the county property tax assessment board of appeals, permits the board to determine its own assessment under its authority to assess property for the current year. Eliminates the requirement for a taxpayer to file a claim for refund after a successful assessment appeal. Eliminates the property tax appeal provision that permits local units to reallocate CAGIT property tax replacement credits for a purpose other than property tax relief. Provides for deposit in a taxing unit's levy excess fund of property tax collections in excess of 100% (instead of 102%) of the unit's levy. Requires the state board of accounts to design a standard form of the petition that is used to initiate the petition and remonstrance procedure. Provides that the petition requires the signatures of the lesser of 100 or 5% of the property owners in the political subdivision (instead of 250 or 10%). Prohibits a political subdivision (including a school corporation) from taking certain actions to promote a position on a petition for or remonstrance against a bond issue or lease. Prohibits a person from soliciting or collecting signatures for a petition or remonstrance on property owned by a political subdivision. With respect to the review of budgets and levies of taxing units that have a governing body comprised primarily of appointed members and propose to increase their property tax levies by more than 5%, adds library districts to the entities subject to review and authorizes reduction of the proposed levy to an amount that is less than the maximum permissible levy. Allows counties to issue provisional tax statements if the abstract is not delivered in a timely manner. Authorizes DLGF to waive the provisional tax statement requirement under certain circumstances. Provides that county assessors, township assessors, and trustee assessors who do not meet certain certification requirements forfeit their offices. Requires DLGF to give the examinations for certification in an open book format. Increases the cap on the income tax deduction for property taxes paid on a principal place of residence for homeowners who pay property taxes imposed for the March 1, 2002 or January 15, 2003 assessment dates in 2004. Legalizes and validates any action taken by DLGF before January 1, 2004, to extend the deadline for filing an assessment appeal to the county, to allow the payment of property taxes in installments, or to waive a late payment penalty. Permits an individual who was eligible for but did not apply for a homestead credit or certain property tax deductions for taxes payable in 2004 to apply before December 15, 2003. Requires DLGF to study the feasibility of creating uniform and common computer software programs for property tax assessment purposes, including computer software programs that allow the sharing and transfer of assessment data in a uniform format by the state and all counties. Allows, for the assessment years 2002, 2003, and 2004, an appeal of a real property assessment that is filed within 45 days after a taxpayer receives the notice of change in assessment or the related tax bill, whichever occurs first, to apply to the taxes imposed for that assessment date and payable in the next year even if the appeal is filed after May 10 of the assessment year. Requires, for property taxes payable on homesteads in 2004, DLGF to provide each county treasurer with the wording of a statement of the amount by which the property taxes in the county were reduced by actions of the general assembly to mitigate the effects of the general reassessment. Requires the county treasurer to include the statement with each tax statement mailed or otherwise transmitted. Requires the commission on state tax and financing policy to study elimination of property taxes and alternative sources of revenue.
    Current Status:
    Law Enacted
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