Assessing Info 2018 Feb. 1

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Chains eye dark store tax shift >

Local property taxpayers have a lot at stake as the Wisconsin legislature decides about closing a loophole that chain stores are already climbing through to reduce their property taxes. A decision could be made as soon as February. Some local communities are already fielding the same property tax assessment-lowering arguments that chain stores are making all over the country. Read More

Tax appeals may hurt municipal finances >

S&P Global Ratings issued a report Tuesday alerting municipal market investors that an expected increase in big box property tax challenges could put stress on municipal finances. (This article requires a free trial login.) Read More

California property values grow, but assessor warns of slowdown and Prop 13’s inequities >

Silicon Valley property values grew solidly in 2017 Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone reports in the agency's annual report. But Silicon Valley's longtime guru of land use notes a slowdown of growth in local property value. "This is the second longest post-recession recovery in our history," said Stone. "To expect this to continue doesn't make sense." Read More

Billions of dollars worth of commercial property goes untaxed under South Carolina laws >

When South Carolina radically altered the way real estate is taxed the focus was on homeowners, but changes effective in 2007 and 2012 have also taken billions of dollars worth of commercial property off the tax rolls. In Charleston County, real estate worth more than $3.6 billion went untaxed in 2017. Most of it was commercial and rental property. Read More

IAAO NEWS

+ Annual Conference session, demo ideas due Feb. 16 >
IAAO is looking for presenters who can be a part of "Mapping the Way to Innovation" at the 2018 Annual Conference being held Sept. 23-26 in Minneapolis. If you have great ideas for educational sessions or product demos, submit your proposal by Feb. 16. Read More

+ Feb. 21 webinar will make you a better communicator >
Communication is the number one key to success. However, for some, it is the most difficult portion of their job. On Feb. 21, "Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say" will teach webinar attendees the essential functions of communication in an assessment office to help them connect with employees, co-workers and citizens. Learn communication styles, how to communicate with different generations and effective listening skills. Read More

+ Int'l Research Symposium early bird rate ends Feb. 23 >
Explore the use of data and technology in property tax systems worldwide with case studies presented April 5-6 at the 2018 International Research Symposium by IAAO, Thomson Reuters, Tyler Technologies and Esri. Arrive early for a half-day forum on April 4 covering big data, open data and data mining in property valuation. Don't wait to make plans to join us in Prague. Hotel rooms are filling quickly and the early registration rate ends Feb. 23. Read More

+ Sign up for a new online session of Course 101 >

There are a few spots open in the spring 2018 online session of IAAO Course 101 - Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal. The course will begin with orientation on March 19 and material will be accessible March 26 - May 6. Space is limited, so register now. Read More

+ Take the GIS survey and get a book from Esri >

In response to industry-wide interest in Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, IAAO is conducting a 20-question online survey asking about operational uses of GIS tools within valuation offices. The goal of the survey is to identify trends in order to provide you with better information and services. Compiled results from this survey will be shared with all IAAO members. Those who complete the survey will be given a link to a free book from Esri, our industry partner in this survey. Take the Survey

+ New report endorses monthly property tax payments >

A new, free report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy suggests monthly property tax payments could improve the fiscal health of local governments and decrease public opposition to the property tax. "Improving the Property Tax by Expanding Options for Monthly Payments" describes approaches for allowing monthly property tax payments and outlines best practices to help make such programs effective. Read More

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

+ Property tax bill splits Nebraska farm, business groups >

A new attempt to reduce Nebraska property tax bills opened a familiar divide Thursday between farm groups that have grown impatient with state lawmakers and business groups that want income tax cuts in the mix. Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard presented the bill to the Legislature's Revenue Committee, arguing that it would benefit urban and rural taxpayers. Read More

+ Georgia county going to court to defend decision on freezing property tax assessments >

Fulton County plans to go to court to defend its decision to keep 2017 property taxes at their 2016 levels after property owners harshly criticized the county over last year's assessments that went up as much as 50 percent over the previous year. The Georgia Department of Revenue twice has rejected Fulton's tax digest since it decided to revert its assessments back to 2016 amounts. Read More

+ In policy reversal, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue reduces real estate valuations in big cities >

Just months before the general elections, the government slashed property valuation rates by up to 57 percent for six major cities, partially reversing a policy designed to plug lacunas that caused accumulation of black money. The move came despite the fact that the second phase of increase in property valuations for two dozen major cities has been due for seven months. Read More

+ Governor takes on Illinois lawmakers over tax appeals >

Gov. Bruce Rauner's executive order seeking to bar state lawmakers from representing clients before a board that hears property tax appeals is largely symbolic, state data suggest, revealing how limited the Republican governor's options are for changing the system. Vowing to end what he called a "clear conflict of interest," the governor cited the Tribune and ProPublica Illinois' "The Tax Divide" series in promising to follow up the order with legislation to reform the property tax system in Cook County, as well as across the state. Read More