Connecticut House Bill HB06155

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/13
• Refer: 1/25/13

Caption

An Act Concerning Tax Assessments And Appeals.

Impact

Moreover, HB 6155 proposes that property owners be granted the ability to appeal tax assessments not to the Superior Court, as is common practice, but directly to local legislative bodies. This local appeal process is intended to make it more accessible for property owners to contest assessments they believe to be unjust. This new mechanism aims to streamline appeals and provide a more localized context for decision-making regarding property taxes, potentially fostering a more responsive governance structure.

Summary

House Bill 6155 proposes significant changes in the administration of tax assessments in the state. The bill aims to empower tax assessors by allowing them to consider the history and use of a property over a specified time when determining its valuation. This change seeks to provide a more accurate reflection of a property's market value, reflecting how it has been used and its circumstances affecting its worth. By focusing on historical usage, the bill aims to enhance fairness and accuracy in property taxation.

Contention

While the bill's provisions aim to improve the assessment process, it may also lead to contention among stakeholders. Some may view the changes as enabling tax assessors to hold more subjectivity in property valuations. In contrast, others believe that allowing local bodies to handle appeals could expedite resolutions without the burdens of court involvement. Critics may raise concerns about consistency and uniformity in property assessments, as local legislative bodies may apply differing interpretations of property use and history. This could lead to disparities in how assessments are handled from one locality to another.