HB1911
To Amend The Law Concerning The Assessment Of Property For The Purpose Of Property Tax; And To Repeal The Requirement That Personal Property Subject To Taxation Be Listed Or Reported By The Property Owner.
Last Action (March 31, 2025): Recommended for study in the Interim by the Committee on CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE- HOUSE
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1911 aims to reform the Arkansas property assessment process by shifting the primary responsibility for listing and reporting personal property from the individual taxpayer to the county assessor. The bill eliminates the statutory requirement for property owners to file personal property assessment lists, effectively transitioning the system to an assessor-led assessment model. It repeals various sections of the Arkansas Code that mandated property owners provide assessment lists, take oaths regarding their property, and pay late assessment fees. The bill also updates procedural requirements for deputy assessors and clarifies the assessment of real property held under specific lease arrangements. By removing the individual reporting burden, the legislation seeks to streamline the administrative process for both taxpayers and county government offices. The bill includes provisions for preserving records for four years and ensures that the Arkansas Public Service Commission continues to oversee the forms and records used in this tax assessment process.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are individual taxpayers and property owners in Arkansas, who would be relieved of the administrative burden, time, and potential legal penalties associated with the current requirement to list and report their personal property for tax assessment purposes. Additionally, county governments and assessor offices may benefit over the long term from a more standardized, automated process that reduces reliance on self-reporting by citizens and potentially minimizes disputes arising from incorrect taxpayer filings.
Who Might Suffer?
County assessor offices and their staff may be negatively impacted by the initial administrative transition and the increased workload associated with taking on the full responsibility of property identification and valuation without relying on taxpayer-provided lists. If the automated or assessor-led assessment systems are not sufficiently robust, there is a risk of potential inaccuracies in property data, which could lead to revenue shortfalls for local governments or disputes between residents and the county regarding valuation assessments.
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