House panel clears bill letting taxpayers remove deceased spouse’s name from property tax bills

House Bill 438, sponsored by Representative Kuzma, would allow a taxpayer to request that a deceased spouse’s name be removed from a real estate tax bill by submitting a written request and a death certificate to the tax collector and county assessment office rather than recording a new deed.

The change would take effect 60 days after enactment and is supported, according to committee staff, by the State Tax Collectors Association, the State Association of Boroughs, the Municipal League, the State Association of Township Commissioners and the State Association of Elected County Officials.

"Currently to remove a name from a tax bill, the owner would have to prepare and record a new deed," Joshua Walker, committee counsel, told the panel. "This legislation would allow the change to take place on the tax bill without altering the deed." Representative Kuzma, the sponsor, described the bill as a ‘‘quick fix’’ for elderly widows who have repeatedly received bills listing a deceased spouse and said recording a new deed can cost hundreds of dollars in recording fees and thousands in legal fees.

The committee approved the bill by voice vote. Chairman Freeman announced the bill "passes unanimously" and said it will be sent to the House floor for consideration.

The measure does not alter deed records; it changes only how tax bills may be updated. The bill text states the requester must present a death certificate and a written request to the tax collector and county assessment office.