[r20] Rep Dermody: Light at the end of the tunnel near for LaPorte County property taxes (2/19/2013)

STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Tom Dermody (R-LaPorte) authored House Bill (HB) 1261 to protect LaPorte County property taxpayers. The bill passed through the House unanimously and will now go the Senate for further consideration.

The bill would authorize the Department of Local Government Finance to delay the payment of tax bills imposed for the March 1, 2012 or Jan. 15, 2013 assessment dates. In addition, the bill creates a 2 percent discount for those that pay their property taxes on time. If payments are not met in the allotted time, the bill creates an additional 12 month period before allowing property to go up for public auction.

“This bill is intended to protect Hoosier taxpayers while incentivizing individuals with the capability of making early on-time payments,” said Rep. Dermody. “This situation has plagued LaPorte County long enough but the light at the end of the tunnel is near, and I am hopeful that by 2014 this situation will be behind us.”

The bill was drafted in response to an ongoing property tax situation occurring in LaPorte County. In 2012, the county’s property taxpayers were advised they had a limited amount of time to pay their 2007 tax bills. 

To help alleviate the financial burden on the taxpayers, Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 19 was drafted and later amended by Rep. Dermody in 2012 which gave the county council the authority to allow taxpayers six months to submit their payments or set up a payment plan. The amendment also made payments more accommodating requiring the county treasurer to accept debit or credit card.

“Last year’s bill was a start to fixing the property tax situation, and I believe House Bill 1261 is a continuation of that solution,” said Rep. Dermody. “It is time that LaPorte County joined the other 91 counties that are up-to-date on property taxes, and I will continue working to protect taxpayers by creating a flexible payment system in a reasonable timeframe.”

Visit www.in.gov/legislative for more information on HB 1261.

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Rep Dermody Light at the end of the tunnel near for LaPorte County property taxes.docx