Help for the Homeowner, Small Business and Agriculture

By Richard N. Benson

How Richard has already worked to improve our quality of life in Marin and California and what he plans for the future

In response to the economic downturn in the housing market our office is processing approximately 13,000 assessment reductions annually without additional staff. Our office works closely with the Assessment Appeals Board to accommodate increased numbers of appeals and the vast majority are resolved without a hearing. We work with homeowners and business property owners to resolve assessment issues and cooperate closely with other financial, planning departments, and Supervisors' offices to quickly respond to taxpayer needs.

I will continue to assure prompt, courteous service and to make improvements where necessary to aid property owners in the swift resolution of their concerns and applications for reassessment.

Help to Families or Victims of Calamities:

Our department seeks information from the media, fire departments and other sources to identify properties that have suffered a loss from fire or calamity. During times of flooding, fire or other natural disaster, our Department has responded immediately and effectively to reduce assessments for affected taxpayers. And, when contacted by the State of California, planning departments, other agencies or the media, our office has always provided prompt accurate information for taxpayer assistance.

Help for Seniors:

The Assessor's office has a strong program to assist persons over 55 years to transfer their tax base, when qualified, from one property to another in Marin County. Our staff is highly trained in this area and provides informative and helpful information to assist taxpayers with this process. However, due to the State financial crises, the Franchise Tax Board has not funded the Homeowner Property Tax Assistance Program.

I will:

• advocate to restore the Homeowner Property Tax Assistance Program

I will:

• advocate to restore this program. I recognize, together with the Secretary of State, that the assistance helps many vulnerable senior, blind, or disabled citizens stay in their homes.

Our office maintains a professional appraisal staff to assist taxpayers with challenging assessment issues involving residential as well as commercial, agricultural, industrial and business property types. We assist taxpayers with complicated questions regarding change in ownership, reassessment and appraisal valuation. We will continue to study property market information, review and evaluate assessments. Our office has and will continue to support the County Strategic Plan to have a sustainable and diverse economic community.