SB 771

APPEAL TO THE LOCAL BOARD OF EQUALIZATION Present law authorizes a taxpayer or owner to , with the written consent of the assessor, appeal the valuation of industrial a nd commercial real and tangible personal property to the local board of equalization, or directly to the state board of equalization. This bill removes the requirement that a taxpayer first must obtain consent of the assessor to appeal to the local board of equalization. PENALTIES AND INTEREST Present law provides that any p enalty and interest otherwise due on delinquent property taxes does not accrue while an appeal of the assessment is pending before the county or state boards of equalization if the taxpayer, before the delinquency date, pays the undisputed portion or pays the full tax due. If the full tax due is paid, the city or county collecting official may decline to accept the disputed portion of tax. This bill adds that i f such official decli ne s the disputed portion, then the official must send a written notice to the taxpayer that explains the reason for declining. If the city or county collecting official fails to send the required notice within seven calendar day s, then the official must a ccept the disputed portion of tax tendered by the taxpayer. Any disputed portion declined by the city or county collecting official is not delinquent for any purpose while an appeal of the assessment is pending before the county or state boards of equali z ation. Present law provides that a ny additional tax due following the appeal will accrue interest from the delinquency date at the composite prime rate published by the federal reserve board as of the delinquency date, minus two points. If the city or c ounty collecting official declines to accept the disputed portion of the tax, then this bill provides that interest must not accrue on the disputed portion from the delinquency date until 30 days after issuance of the final assessment certificate of the st ate board of equalization and until the undisputed portion is paid.