[r78] House Republicans Offer Solutions to Relieve Hoosier Property Owners (7/11/2007)

(STATEHOUSE) July 11, 2007- House Republicans today announced a plan to assist Hoosier property owners immediately and reform Indiana's property tax system permanently.  With skyrocketing property tax bills hitting Hoosier homeowners throughout Indiana, Representative Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) and House Republicans are proposing an action plan. 

"These proposals are a step in the right direction for Hoosier taxpayers," said Crouch.  "Extending the Homestead Credit filing deadline could save many homeowners hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars."

House Republicans proposed administrative measures that can be taken immediately either at the local level or the state executive level to address the property tax crisis.

Immediate

Deferral of Residential Tax Increases

• Call for local government officials to allow homeowners to pay only the amount owed in 2006 or earlier, with increases paid in installments, waiving all obstacles, fees or penalties.  Call for the Department of Local Government (DLGF) to continue to vigorously analyze discrepancies in current property tax bills.  

HomesteadCredit Filing Extension

• Call for local officials to allow those that missed the Homestead Credit filing deadline to reapply with the credit being given on their 2007 fall bill and ensuring that these taxpayers receive both the Homestead Credit and Homestead Deduction on their 2008 bill.

Immediate Reassessment in Counties Where There are Apparent Gross Discrepancies

• Call for the Department of Local Government Finance to order immediate reassessment in counties where there are apparent gross discrepancies.

Provide Direct Relief to Residential Taxpayers - Drop the Rebate

• Distribute property tax relief money to counties and direct that they apply the amount of the property tax rebate to residential taxpayer bills that showed increases due this November.

Long Term

Hoosier Property Tax Relief Working Group - A nonpartisan panel of fiscal tax experts

• Bring experts - not politicians - to the table to study various options for Indiana property taxes.  The goal of the nonpartisan panel would be to recommend ways to eliminate or reduce property taxes in a manner that is fair to taxpayers.  An additional goal of the panel would be to examine how state government could fund all child services costs.

"Both Democrats and Republicans need to put aside our differences to address the 'big picture' of property tax reform.  It is important that we all come to the table being open to any proposals that will benefit Hoosier taxpayers.  This is not a political issue - it is a taxpayer issue."

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