TERRE HAUTE —
Today is your last day to file an appeal of your most recent Vigo County property tax assessment at the Vigo County Assessor’s office. The deadline is 4 p.m.
Hundreds of appeals have been filed since tax assessment statements were mailed out to property owners a month and a half ago, Vigo County Assessor Debbie Lewis said.
To expedite appeals, tax officials urge taxpayers to include evidence to support their case — such as sale of the property in question, sales of comparable properties, listing prices, offers to purchase or an appraisal prepared by a licensed appraiser.
After an appeal is filed, the next step is an informal meeting between assessing officials and the taxpayer to resolve as many issues as possible, according to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Within 10 days of that meeting, assessing officials must forward the appeal to the local, three-person, Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals to handle any unresolved matters.
That appeals board must hold a hearing, according to the state, within 180 days of the filing of the appeal. Taxpayers must receive at least 30 days notice of the hearing date and the appeals board must render a decision within 120 days of the hearing.
If an appeal has not been heard by the local board within 180 days or no decision has been rendered by that board within 120 days of the hearing, the taxpayer can appeal directly to the Indiana Board of Tax Review in Indianapolis, a three-member body that is appointed by the governor.
Taxpayers also can appeal decisions of the local appeals board to the tax review board. Such appeals must take place within 45 days of the local appeal board’s decision.
The tax review board must hold a hearing on appeals it receives within nine months of receipt, unless during a general reassessment year. That board has 90 days to issue a decision after a hearing. A taxpayer can also request a second hearing before that board if the request is filed within 15 days of the original decision. Or the taxpayer can appeal, within 45 days of the IBTR decision, to the Indiana Tax Court. Finally, tax court decisions can be appealed to the Indiana Supreme Court, which can reject or hear a case at its discretion.
The burden of proof in a property tax assessment lies with the local assessing officials when an assessment has increased more than 5 percent over the preceding assessment date, according to the Department of Local Government Finance. When asked to explain what this means in practice, a department official simply provided the Tribune-Star with text from Indiana law stating the same thing – the burden of proof lies with local officials if an assessment has increased more than 5 percent.
IBTR members were unavailable for comment Monday afternoon to elaborate on this or to comment on the number of appeals that find their way to the state each year.
Finally, if you have filed an appeal, you may pay only the amount of taxes based on the immediately preceding year’s assessment pending a final ruling without penalty, according to the DLGF. You must at least pay that amount by the due date to avoid being considered delinquent.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at 812-231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@trib
star.com
News
Assessment appeal deadline is today
Officials urge taxpayers to include evidence to support case
- News
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Today in History May 24
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
