Tax staff seek backstop for valuations, longer appeal window and clarify grazing income for current‑use

Summary

Tax department staff proposed changes to a miscellaneous tax bill to allow a provisional valuation when local listers fail to return required land‑use valuations, extend the appeal window from 14 to 30 days, and clarify that paid grazing (including horses) can meet the $2,000 gross‑income test for current‑use eligibility.

Jill Remick, director of property evaluation and review at the tax department, told an unidentified committee the department plans several modest changes to a miscellaneous tax bill intended to reduce delays in land‑use tax administration and clear up eligibility for current‑use treatment.

Remick said delays occur when local listers or assessors do not return statutorily required standalone valuations within the 30‑day statutory deadline, and that "the land use change tax is 10% of that valuation." She described a sequence of reminder emails and phone calls the department uses and asked for authority to set a provisional value after multiple unsuccessful contact attempts so the department can issue a land‑use change tax bill and avoid hindering real estate transactions.

The proposal also would address appeals. Remick said valuation appeals are now limited to a 14‑day mail‑in window at the local…

Tax staff seek backstop for valuations, longer appeal window and clarify grazing income for current‑use

Summary

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