Section 6-1.1-4-31.6 - Informal hearings by professional appraiser contractor; informal hearing required to preserve right to appeal assessment; notice; rules; contract payment(a) Subject to the other requirements of this section, the department of local government finance may: (1) negotiate an addendum to a contract referred to in section 31.5(f) of this chapter that is treated as a contract of the department; or(2) include provisions in a contract entered into by the department under section 31.5(f) of this chapter; to require the contractor of the department to represent the department in appeals initiated under section 31.7 of this chapter and to afford to taxpayers an opportunity to attend an informal hearing.
(b) The purpose of the informal hearing referred to in subsection (a) is to: (1) discuss the specifics of the taxpayer's assessment or reassessment;(2) review the taxpayer's property record card;(3) explain to the taxpayer how the assessment or reassessment was determined;(4) provide to the taxpayer information about the statutes, rules, and guidelines that govern the determination of the assessment or reassessment;(5) note and consider objections of the taxpayer;(6) consider all errors alleged by the taxpayer; and(7) otherwise educate the taxpayer about:(A) the taxpayer's assessment or reassessment;(B) the assessment or reassessment process; and(C) the assessment or reassessment appeal process under section 31.7 of this chapter.(c) Following an informal hearing referred to in subsection (b), the contractor shall:(1) make a recommendation to the department of local government finance as to whether a change in the reassessment is warranted; and(2) if recommending a change under subdivision (1), provide to the department a statement of: (A) how the changed assessment or reassessment was determined; and(B) the amount of the changed assessment or reassessment.(d) To preserve the right to appeal under section 31.7 of this chapter, a taxpayer must initiate the informal hearing process by notifying the department of local government finance or its designee of the taxpayer's intent to participate in an informal hearing referred to in subsection (b) not later than forty-five (45) days after the department of local government finance gives notice under section 31.5(g) of this chapter to taxpayers of the amount of the reassessment.(e) The informal hearings referred to in subsection (b) must be conducted:(1) in the county where the property is located; and(2) in a manner determined by the department of local government finance.(f) The department of local government finance shall:(1) consider the recommendation of the contractor under subsection (c); and(2) if the department accepts a recommendation that a change in the assessment or reassessment is warranted, accept or modify the recommended amount of the changed assessment or reassessment.(g) The department of local government finance shall send a notice of the result of each informal hearing to:(3) the county assessor; and(4) the township assessor (if any) of the township in which the property is located.(h) A notice under subsection (g) must: (1) state whether the assessment or reassessment was changed as a result of the informal hearing; and(2) if the assessment or reassessment was changed as a result of the informal hearing: (A) indicate the amount of the changed assessment or reassessment; and(B) provide information on the taxpayer's right to appeal under section 31.7 of this chapter.(i) If the department of local government finance does not send a notice under subsection (g) not later than two hundred seventy (270) days after the date the department gives notice of the amount of the assessment or reassessment under section 31.5(g) of this chapter: (1) the department may not change the amount of the assessment or reassessment under the informal hearing process described in this section; and(2) the taxpayer may appeal the assessment or reassessment under section 31.7 of this chapter.(j) The department of local government finance may adopt rules to establish procedures for informal hearings under this section.(k) Payment for an addendum to a contract under subsection (a)(1) is made in the same manner as payment for the contract under section 31.5(h) of this chapter.As added by P.L. 228-2005, SEC.13. Amended by P.L. 146-2008, SEC.83.