City of Baltimore - File #: 13-0119R

• File #: 13-0119R
• Version: 0
• Name: Flawed Calculation of Historic Renovation Property Tax Credits Flawed Calculation of Historic Renovation Property Tax Credits Flawed Calculation of Historic Renovation Property Tax Credits
• Type: City Council Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 8/12/2013
• In control: City Council
• Final action: 8/12/2013
• Title: Flawed Calculation of Historic Renovation Property Tax Credits FOR the purpose of calling on the State of Maryland, and officials in the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, to find an appropriate mechanism whereby the City of Baltimore can be compensated for the lost property tax revenue, so as not to negatively impact blameless homeowners, and not unduly burden the City’s finances because of flawed calculations used by the State.
• Sponsors: Bill Henry, James B. Kraft, Brandon M. Scott, Sharon Green Middleton, Nick Mosby, Helen L. Holton, William "Pete" Welch, Edward Reisinger, Warren Branch, Mary Pat Clarke, President Young
• Indexes: Resolution

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/12/2013	0	City Council	Introduced
8/12/2013	0	City Council	Adopted
8/12/2013	0	City Council	Advanced to 2nd Reader on same day
8/12/2013	0	City Council	Adopted

* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*

CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)

Introduced by: Councilmembers Henry and Kraft



A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Flawed Calculation of Historic Renovation Property Tax Credits

FOR the purpose of calling on the State of Maryland, and officials in the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, to find an appropriate mechanism whereby the City of Baltimore can be compensated for the lost property tax revenue, so as not to negatively impact blameless homeowners, and not unduly burden the City’s finances because of flawed calculations used by the State.
body

Recitals

It has recently come to light that roughly 300 Baltimore homeowners were receiving incorrectly calculated, excessive, property tax credits for historic renovations. Since the discovery of these errors, the homeowners have been sent increased tax bills accounting for the credits correctly.

Some of the tax increases have been small, but many have been quite substantial, with tax burdens reportedly tripling or even increasing eightfold. Although there is no evidence, or even suspicion, of any wrongdoing whatsoever by any of the affected homeowners, they are looking at many thousands of dollars in unplanned-for housing costs.

Unlike the case of improperly-granted homestead tax credits, where homeowners either knowingly or negligently requested credits they were not legally entitled to, the problems with historic renovation credits are ...