HJ 687 (Keam), as introduced, requested the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Virginia Supreme Court to study options for a special tax court system in Virginia. The patron is interested in determining whether some specialization in tax matters among the judiciary might make the appeals process easier for the taxpayer. In the Senate Rules Committee, the resolution was completely rewritten to provide instead for a joint legislative subcommittee to study the establishment of a tax court or streamlined procedures for appealing tax assessment decisions.
The version that emerged from conference on Saturday directs the Small Business Commission to study the establishment of a tax court or streamlined process for appeals of decisions by a local board of equalization. The resolution directs the Small Business Commission to seek information from stakeholders, including local government representatives and state and local tax administrators, as well as property ownership and management associations and the judicial branch. VACo will be an active participant in these discussions.
VACo Contact: Katie Boyle