August 2, 2004                                                                                        ITEM # 3i

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Item Title:            Tax Committee Recommendations for Value Adjustments, Late-Filed Applications, Collections Refunds and Tax Collections Report

 

Specific Action Requested:

That the Board of Commissioners approve the attached recommendations by the Tax Committee.

 

Item Summary:

If any taxpayer believes he/she has been billed incorrectly, he/she can request relief. A tax committee made up of Emmett Curl, Wake County Revenue Director and clerk to the committee; Melinda Canady, Wake County Finance Director; Richard Epps, City of Raleigh; and Shelley Eason, Wake County Attorney, meets on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. in the County Manager's Office Conference Room to review requests and make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. This meeting is publicized and the public is invited.

 

Attached are the guidelines the Tax Committee follows in recommending relief or not relieving penalties and interest. The Tax Committee requests that the Board approve the attached recommendations for value adjustments, late-filed applications, collections refunds and tax collections report.

 

The Committee presents a document to the Wake County Board of Commissioners each month for approval, showing the name of the taxpayer, description of property, account number and year for, kind of tax being appealed, recommendation by the Tax Committee and automatic relief code, if applicable. When approved, the County Manager’s Office forwards a copy to any municipality that has items for its approval.

Some of the reasons taxpayers may have a problem with their tax bills are:

 

1.                  They were penalized for listing after January 31.

2.                  They paid their bill late and are requesting relief from the interest.

3.                  They take exception to the value placed on their property.

4.                  They have undergone audits of business personal property and have been penalized for failure to list.

5.                  They have requested exemption on property and have failed to make an application during the regular listing period and are requesting approval as a late-filed application.

6.                  Occasionally, property taxes are either overpaid or are paid twice and a refund is requested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attachments:

1)     Tax Committee Guidelines

2)     Executive Summary of Recommendations from Tax Committee

3)     Wake County Foreclosure Progress Report

4)     Municipal Comparison Report

5)     Wake County Report of Collections

6)     Requests for Relief of Penalties

7)     Requests for Exemptions

8)     Special Situations and Value Adjustments

9)     Requests for Tax Relief

10)    Appeal Summary