IC 6-1.1-45.5
Chapter 45.5. Brownfield Tax Reduction or Waiver
IC 6-1.1-45.5-1 Definitions
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter:
(1) "board" refers to the county property tax assessment board
of appeals;
(2) "brownfield" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-19.3;
(3) "contaminant" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-42;
(4) "delinquent tax liability" means:
(A) delinquent property taxes;
(B) delinquent special assessments;
(C) interest;
(D) penalties; and
(E) costs;
assessed against a brownfield and entered on the tax duplicate
that a person seeks to have waived or reduced by filing a
petition under section 2 of this chapter;
(5) "department" refers to the department of local government
finance, unless the specific reference is to the department of
environmental management; and
(6) "fiscal body" refers to the fiscal body of:
(A) the city if the brownfield is located in a city;
(B) the town if the brownfield is located in a town; or
(C) the county if the brownfield is not located in a city or
town. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-2 Form and content of petition
Sec. 2. A person that owns or desires to own a brownfield may
file a petition with the county auditor seeking a reduction or waiver
of the delinquent tax liability. The petition must:
(1) be on a form:
(A) prescribed by the state board of accounts; and
(B) approved by the department;
(2) state:
(A) the amount of the delinquent tax liability; and
(B) when the delinquent tax liability arose;
(3) describe:
(A) the manner in which; and
(B) when;
the petitioner acquired or proposes to acquire the brownfield;
(4) describe the conditions existing on the brownfield that have
prevented the sale or the transfer of title to the county;
(5) describe the plan of the petitioner for:
(A) addressing any contaminants on the brownfield; and
(B) the intended use of the brownfield;
(6) include the date by which the plan referred to in subdivision
(5) will be completed;
(7) include a statement from the department of environmental
management that the property is a brownfield;
(8) state whether the petitioner:
(A) has had an ownership interest in an entity that
contributed; or
(B) has contributed;
to the contaminant or contaminants on the brownfield;
(9) state whether any part of the delinquent tax liability can
reasonably be collected from a person other than the petitioner;
(10) state that the petitioner seeks:
(A) a waiver of the delinquent tax liability; or
(B) a reduction of the delinquent tax liability in a specified
amount; and
(11) be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the
county auditor for:
(A) completing a title search; and
(B) processing the petition. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-3 County auditor action on petition; correction of defects;
forwarding
Sec. 3. On receipt of a petition under section 2 of this chapter, the
county auditor shall determine whether the petition is complete. If
the petition is not complete, the county auditor shall return the
petition to the petitioner and describe the defects in the petition. The
petitioner may correct the defects and file the completed petition
with the county auditor. On receipt of a complete petition, the county
auditor shall forward a copy of the complete petition to:
(1) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(2) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(3) all persons that have, as of the date of the filing of the
petition, a substantial property interest of public record in the
brownfield;
(4) the board;
(5) the fiscal body;
(6) the department of environmental management; and
(7) the department. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.305.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-4 County property tax assessment board of appeals hearing; notice
Sec. 4. On receipt of a complete petition as provided under
sections 2 and 3 of this chapter, the board shall at its earliest
opportunity conduct a public hearing on the petition. The board shall
give notice of the date, time, and place fixed for the hearing:
(1) by mail to:
(A) the petitioner;
(B) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(C) all persons that have, as of the date the petition was
filed, a substantial interest of public record in the
brownfield; and
(D) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township
assessor for the township; and
(2) under IC 5-3-1. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.306.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-5 County property tax assessment board of appeals
recommendation; notice; forwarding
Sec. 5. (a) Subject to section 8(g) of this chapter, the board may
recommend that the department grant the petition or that the
department approve a reduction of the delinquent tax liability in an
amount less than the amount sought by the petitioner if the board
determines that:
(1) the brownfield was acquired or is proposed to be acquired
as a result of:
(A) sale or abandonment in a bankruptcy proceeding;
(B) foreclosure or a sheriff's sale;
(C) receivership; or
(D) purchase from a political subdivision;
(2) the plan referred to in section 2(5) of this chapter is in the
best interest of the community;
(3) the waiver or reduction of the delinquent tax liability:
(A) is in the public interest; and
(B) will facilitate development or use of the brownfield;
(4) the petitioner:
(A) has not had an ownership interest in an entity that
contributed; and
(B) has not contributed;
to the contaminant or contaminants on the brownfield;
(5) the department of environmental management has
determined that the property is a brownfield;
(6) if the petitioner is the owner of the brownfield, the
delinquent tax liability sought to be waived or reduced arose
before the petitioner's acquisition of the brownfield; and
(7) no part of the delinquent tax liability can reasonably be
collected from a person other than the owner of the brownfield.
(b) After the hearing and completion of any additional
investigation of the brownfield or of the petitioner that the board
considers necessary, the board shall:
(1) give notice, by mail, to the parties listed in section 4(1) of
this chapter of the board's recommendation that:
(A) the fiscal body deny the petition; or
(B) the department:
(i) deny the petition;
(ii) waive the delinquent tax liability, subject to section
8(g) of this chapter; or
(iii) reduce the delinquent tax liability by a specified
amount, subject to section 8(g) of this chapter; and
(2) forward to the department and the fiscal body a copy of:
(A) the board's recommendation; and
(B) the documents submitted to or collected by the board at
the public hearing or during the course of the board's
investigation of the brownfield or of the petitioner. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-6 Review and recommendation by fiscal body; notice; forwarding
Sec. 6. (a) The fiscal body shall at a regularly scheduled meeting:
(1) review the petition and all other materials submitted by the
board under section 5 of this chapter; and
(2) determine whether to:
(A) deny the petition;
(B) recommend that the department waive the delinquent tax
liability, subject to section 8(g) of this chapter; or
(C) recommend that the department reduce the delinquent
tax liability by a specified amount, subject to section 8(g) of
this chapter.
The fiscal body may recommend a reduction of the delinquent tax
liability in an amount that differs from the amount of reduction
recommended by the board.
(b) The fiscal body shall:
(1) publish notice under IC 5-3-1 of its consideration of the
petition under this section; and
(2) forward to the department written notice of its action under
this section. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-7 Review and action by department of local government finance
Sec. 7. (a) On receipt by the department of a recommendation by
the fiscal body to waive or reduce the delinquent tax liability, the
department shall:
(1) review:
(A) the petition and all other materials submitted by the
board; and
(B) the notice received from the fiscal body; and
(2) subject to subsection (b), determine whether to:
(A) deny the petition;
(B) waive the delinquent tax liability, subject to section 8(g)
of this chapter; or
(C) reduce the delinquent tax liability by a specified amount,
subject to section 8(g) of this chapter.
The department may reduce the delinquent tax liability in an amount
that differs from the amount of reduction recommended by the board
or the fiscal body.
(b) The department's determination to waive or reduce the
delinquent tax liability under subsection (a) is subject to the
limitation in section 8(f)(2) of this chapter. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-8 Notice of action of department of local government finance;
additional review by department; proof of ownership; county
auditor review of plan completion
Sec. 8. (a) The department shall give notice of its determination
under section 7 of this chapter and the right to seek an appeal of the
determination by mail to:
(1) the petitioner;
(2) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(3) all persons that have, as of the date the petition was filed
under section 2 of this chapter, a substantial property interest of
public record in the brownfield;
(4) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(5) the board;
(6) the fiscal body; and
(7) the county auditor.
(b) A person aggrieved by a determination of the department
under section 7 of this chapter may obtain an additional review by
the department and a public hearing by filing a petition for review
with the county auditor of the county in which the brownfield is
located not more than thirty (30) days after the department gives
notice of the determination under subsection (a). The county auditor
shall transmit the petition to the department not more than ten (10)
days after the petition is filed.
(c) On receipt by the department of a petition for review, the
department shall set a date, time, and place for a hearing. At least ten
(10) days before the date fixed for the hearing, the department shall
give notice by mail of the date, time, and place fixed for the hearing
to:
(1) the person that filed the appeal;
(2) the petitioner;
(3) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(4) all persons that have, as of the date the petition is filed, a
substantial interest of public record in the brownfield;
(5) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(6) the board;
(7) the fiscal body; and
(8) the county auditor.
(d) After the hearing, the department shall give the parties listed
in subsection (c) notice by mail of the final determination of the
department. The department's final determination under this
subsection is subject to the limitations in subsections (f)(2) and (g).
(e) The petitioner under section 2 of this chapter shall provide to
the county auditor reasonable proof of ownership of the brownfield:
(1) if a petition is not filed under subsection (b), at least thirty
(30) days but not more than one hundred twenty (120) days
after notice is given under subsection (a); or
(2) after notice is given under subsection (d) but not more than
ninety (90) days after notice is given under subsection (d).
(f) The county auditor:
(1) shall, subject to subsection (g), reduce or remove the
delinquent tax liability on the tax duplicate in the amount stated
in:
(A) if a petition is not filed under subsection (b), the
determination of the department under section 7 of this
chapter; or
(B) the final determination of the department under this
section;
not more than thirty (30) days after receipt of the proof of
ownership required in subsection (e); and
(2) may not reduce or remove any delinquent tax liability on the
tax duplicate if the petitioner under section 2 of this chapter
fails to provide proof of ownership as required in subsection
(e).
(g) A reduction or removal of delinquent tax liability under
subsection (f) applies until the county auditor makes a determination
under this subsection. After the date referred to in section 2(6) of this
chapter, the county auditor shall determine if the petitioner
successfully completed the plan described in section 2(5) of this
chapter by that date. If the county auditor determines that the
petitioner completed the plan by that date, the reduction or removal
of delinquent tax liability under subsection (f) becomes permanent.
If the county auditor determines that the petitioner did not complete
the plan by that date, the county auditor shall restore to the tax
duplicate the delinquent taxes reduced or removed under subsection
(f), along with interest in the amount that would have applied if the
delinquent taxes had not been reduced or removed. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.307.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-9 Appeal of action of department of local government finance
Sec. 9. As provided in IC 6-1.5-5-1, a petitioner under section 2
of this chapter may initiate an appeal of the department's final
determination under section 8 of this chapter by filing a petition with
the county assessor not more than forty-five (45) days after the
department gives the petitioner notice of the final determination. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5
Chapter 45.5. Brownfield Tax Reduction or Waiver
IC 6-1.1-45.5-1 Definitions
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter:
(1) "board" refers to the county property tax assessment board
of appeals;
(2) "brownfield" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-19.3;
(3) "contaminant" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-42;
(4) "delinquent tax liability" means:
(A) delinquent property taxes;
(B) delinquent special assessments;
(C) interest;
(D) penalties; and
(E) costs;
assessed against a brownfield and entered on the tax duplicate
that a person seeks to have waived or reduced by filing a
petition under section 2 of this chapter;
(5) "department" refers to the department of local government
finance, unless the specific reference is to the department of
environmental management; and
(6) "fiscal body" refers to the fiscal body of:
(A) the city if the brownfield is located in a city;
(B) the town if the brownfield is located in a town; or
(C) the county if the brownfield is not located in a city or
town. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-2 Form and content of petition
Sec. 2. A person that owns or desires to own a brownfield may
file a petition with the county auditor seeking a reduction or waiver
of the delinquent tax liability. The petition must:
(1) be on a form:
(A) prescribed by the state board of accounts; and
(B) approved by the department;
(2) state:
(A) the amount of the delinquent tax liability; and
(B) when the delinquent tax liability arose;
(3) describe:
(A) the manner in which; and
(B) when;
the petitioner acquired or proposes to acquire the brownfield;
(4) describe the conditions existing on the brownfield that have
prevented the sale or the transfer of title to the county;
(5) describe the plan of the petitioner for:
(A) addressing any contaminants on the brownfield; and
(B) the intended use of the brownfield;
(6) include the date by which the plan referred to in subdivision
(5) will be completed;
(7) include a statement from the department of environmental
management that the property is a brownfield;
(8) state whether the petitioner:
(A) has had an ownership interest in an entity that
contributed; or
(B) has contributed;
to the contaminant or contaminants on the brownfield;
(9) state whether any part of the delinquent tax liability can
reasonably be collected from a person other than the petitioner;
(10) state that the petitioner seeks:
(A) a waiver of the delinquent tax liability; or
(B) a reduction of the delinquent tax liability in a specified
amount; and
(11) be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the
county auditor for:
(A) completing a title search; and
(B) processing the petition. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-3 County auditor action on petition; correction of defects;
forwarding
Sec. 3. On receipt of a petition under section 2 of this chapter, the
county auditor shall determine whether the petition is complete. If
the petition is not complete, the county auditor shall return the
petition to the petitioner and describe the defects in the petition. The
petitioner may correct the defects and file the completed petition
with the county auditor. On receipt of a complete petition, the county
auditor shall forward a copy of the complete petition to:
(1) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(2) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(3) all persons that have, as of the date of the filing of the
petition, a substantial property interest of public record in the
brownfield;
(4) the board;
(5) the fiscal body;
(6) the department of environmental management; and
(7) the department. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.305.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-4 County property tax assessment board of appeals hearing; notice
Sec. 4. On receipt of a complete petition as provided under
sections 2 and 3 of this chapter, the board shall at its earliest
opportunity conduct a public hearing on the petition. The board shall
give notice of the date, time, and place fixed for the hearing:
(1) by mail to:
(A) the petitioner;
(B) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(C) all persons that have, as of the date the petition was
filed, a substantial interest of public record in the
brownfield; and
(D) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township
assessor for the township; and
(2) under IC 5-3-1. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.306.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-5 County property tax assessment board of appeals
recommendation; notice; forwarding
Sec. 5. (a) Subject to section 8(g) of this chapter, the board may
recommend that the department grant the petition or that the
department approve a reduction of the delinquent tax liability in an
amount less than the amount sought by the petitioner if the board
determines that:
(1) the brownfield was acquired or is proposed to be acquired
as a result of:
(A) sale or abandonment in a bankruptcy proceeding;
(B) foreclosure or a sheriff's sale;
(C) receivership; or
(D) purchase from a political subdivision;
(2) the plan referred to in section 2(5) of this chapter is in the
best interest of the community;
(3) the waiver or reduction of the delinquent tax liability:
(A) is in the public interest; and
(B) will facilitate development or use of the brownfield;
(4) the petitioner:
(A) has not had an ownership interest in an entity that
contributed; and
(B) has not contributed;
to the contaminant or contaminants on the brownfield;
(5) the department of environmental management has
determined that the property is a brownfield;
(6) if the petitioner is the owner of the brownfield, the
delinquent tax liability sought to be waived or reduced arose
before the petitioner's acquisition of the brownfield; and
(7) no part of the delinquent tax liability can reasonably be
collected from a person other than the owner of the brownfield.
(b) After the hearing and completion of any additional
investigation of the brownfield or of the petitioner that the board
considers necessary, the board shall:
(1) give notice, by mail, to the parties listed in section 4(1) of
this chapter of the board's recommendation that:
(A) the fiscal body deny the petition; or
(B) the department:
(i) deny the petition;
(ii) waive the delinquent tax liability, subject to section
8(g) of this chapter; or
(iii) reduce the delinquent tax liability by a specified
amount, subject to section 8(g) of this chapter; and
(2) forward to the department and the fiscal body a copy of:
(A) the board's recommendation; and
(B) the documents submitted to or collected by the board at
the public hearing or during the course of the board's
investigation of the brownfield or of the petitioner. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-6 Review and recommendation by fiscal body; notice; forwarding
Sec. 6. (a) The fiscal body shall at a regularly scheduled meeting:
(1) review the petition and all other materials submitted by the
board under section 5 of this chapter; and
(2) determine whether to:
(A) deny the petition;
(B) recommend that the department waive the delinquent tax
liability, subject to section 8(g) of this chapter; or
(C) recommend that the department reduce the delinquent
tax liability by a specified amount, subject to section 8(g) of
this chapter.
The fiscal body may recommend a reduction of the delinquent tax
liability in an amount that differs from the amount of reduction
recommended by the board.
(b) The fiscal body shall:
(1) publish notice under IC 5-3-1 of its consideration of the
petition under this section; and
(2) forward to the department written notice of its action under
this section. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-7 Review and action by department of local government finance
Sec. 7. (a) On receipt by the department of a recommendation by
the fiscal body to waive or reduce the delinquent tax liability, the
department shall:
(1) review:
(A) the petition and all other materials submitted by the
board; and
(B) the notice received from the fiscal body; and
(2) subject to subsection (b), determine whether to:
(A) deny the petition;
(B) waive the delinquent tax liability, subject to section 8(g)
of this chapter; or
(C) reduce the delinquent tax liability by a specified amount,
subject to section 8(g) of this chapter.
The department may reduce the delinquent tax liability in an amount
that differs from the amount of reduction recommended by the board
or the fiscal body.
(b) The department's determination to waive or reduce the
delinquent tax liability under subsection (a) is subject to the
limitation in section 8(f)(2) of this chapter. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-8 Notice of action of department of local government finance;
additional review by department; proof of ownership; county
auditor review of plan completion
Sec. 8. (a) The department shall give notice of its determination
under section 7 of this chapter and the right to seek an appeal of the
determination by mail to:
(1) the petitioner;
(2) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(3) all persons that have, as of the date the petition was filed
under section 2 of this chapter, a substantial property interest of
public record in the brownfield;
(4) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(5) the board;
(6) the fiscal body; and
(7) the county auditor.
(b) A person aggrieved by a determination of the department
under section 7 of this chapter may obtain an additional review by
the department and a public hearing by filing a petition for review
with the county auditor of the county in which the brownfield is
located not more than thirty (30) days after the department gives
notice of the determination under subsection (a). The county auditor
shall transmit the petition to the department not more than ten (10)
days after the petition is filed.
(c) On receipt by the department of a petition for review, the
department shall set a date, time, and place for a hearing. At least ten
(10) days before the date fixed for the hearing, the department shall
give notice by mail of the date, time, and place fixed for the hearing
to:
(1) the person that filed the appeal;
(2) the petitioner;
(3) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(4) all persons that have, as of the date the petition is filed, a
substantial interest of public record in the brownfield;
(5) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(6) the board;
(7) the fiscal body; and
(8) the county auditor.
(d) After the hearing, the department shall give the parties listed
in subsection (c) notice by mail of the final determination of the
department. The department's final determination under this
subsection is subject to the limitations in subsections (f)(2) and (g).
(e) The petitioner under section 2 of this chapter shall provide to
the county auditor reasonable proof of ownership of the brownfield:
(1) if a petition is not filed under subsection (b), at least thirty
(30) days but not more than one hundred twenty (120) days
after notice is given under subsection (a); or
(2) after notice is given under subsection (d) but not more than
ninety (90) days after notice is given under subsection (d).
(f) The county auditor:
(1) shall, subject to subsection (g), reduce or remove the
delinquent tax liability on the tax duplicate in the amount stated
in:
(A) if a petition is not filed under subsection (b), the
determination of the department under section 7 of this
chapter; or
(B) the final determination of the department under this
section;
not more than thirty (30) days after receipt of the proof of
ownership required in subsection (e); and
(2) may not reduce or remove any delinquent tax liability on the
tax duplicate if the petitioner under section 2 of this chapter
fails to provide proof of ownership as required in subsection
(e).
(g) A reduction or removal of delinquent tax liability under
subsection (f) applies until the county auditor makes a determination
under this subsection. After the date referred to in section 2(6) of this
chapter, the county auditor shall determine if the petitioner
successfully completed the plan described in section 2(5) of this
chapter by that date. If the county auditor determines that the
petitioner completed the plan by that date, the reduction or removal
of delinquent tax liability under subsection (f) becomes permanent.
If the county auditor determines that the petitioner did not complete
the plan by that date, the county auditor shall restore to the tax
duplicate the delinquent taxes reduced or removed under subsection
(f), along with interest in the amount that would have applied if the
delinquent taxes had not been reduced or removed. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.307.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-9 Appeal of action of department of local government finance
Sec. 9. As provided in IC 6-1.5-5-1, a petitioner under section 2
of this chapter may initiate an appeal of the department's final
determination under section 8 of this chapter by filing a petition with
the county assessor not more than forty-five (45) days after the
department gives the petitioner notice of the final determination. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5
Chapter 45.5. Brownfield Tax Reduction or Waiver
IC 6-1.1-45.5-1 Definitions
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter:
(1) "board" refers to the county property tax assessment board
of appeals;
(2) "brownfield" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-19.3;
(3) "contaminant" has the meaning set forth in IC 13-11-2-42;
(4) "delinquent tax liability" means:
(A) delinquent property taxes;
(B) delinquent special assessments;
(C) interest;
(D) penalties; and
(E) costs;
assessed against a brownfield and entered on the tax duplicate
that a person seeks to have waived or reduced by filing a
petition under section 2 of this chapter;
(5) "department" refers to the department of local government
finance, unless the specific reference is to the department of
environmental management; and
(6) "fiscal body" refers to the fiscal body of:
(A) the city if the brownfield is located in a city;
(B) the town if the brownfield is located in a town; or
(C) the county if the brownfield is not located in a city or
town. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-2 Form and content of petition
Sec. 2. A person that owns or desires to own a brownfield may
file a petition with the county auditor seeking a reduction or waiver
of the delinquent tax liability. The petition must:
(1) be on a form:
(A) prescribed by the state board of accounts; and
(B) approved by the department;
(2) state:
(A) the amount of the delinquent tax liability; and
(B) when the delinquent tax liability arose;
(3) describe:
(A) the manner in which; and
(B) when;
the petitioner acquired or proposes to acquire the brownfield;
(4) describe the conditions existing on the brownfield that have
prevented the sale or the transfer of title to the county;
(5) describe the plan of the petitioner for:
(A) addressing any contaminants on the brownfield; and
(B) the intended use of the brownfield;
(6) include the date by which the plan referred to in subdivision
(5) will be completed;
(7) include a statement from the department of environmental
management that the property is a brownfield;
(8) state whether the petitioner:
(A) has had an ownership interest in an entity that
contributed; or
(B) has contributed;
to the contaminant or contaminants on the brownfield;
(9) state whether any part of the delinquent tax liability can
reasonably be collected from a person other than the petitioner;
(10) state that the petitioner seeks:
(A) a waiver of the delinquent tax liability; or
(B) a reduction of the delinquent tax liability in a specified
amount; and
(11) be accompanied by a fee in an amount established by the
county auditor for:
(A) completing a title search; and
(B) processing the petition. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-3 County auditor action on petition; correction of defects;
forwarding
Sec. 3. On receipt of a petition under section 2 of this chapter, the
county auditor shall determine whether the petition is complete. If
the petition is not complete, the county auditor shall return the
petition to the petitioner and describe the defects in the petition. The
petitioner may correct the defects and file the completed petition
with the county auditor. On receipt of a complete petition, the county
auditor shall forward a copy of the complete petition to:
(1) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(2) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(3) all persons that have, as of the date of the filing of the
petition, a substantial property interest of public record in the
brownfield;
(4) the board;
(5) the fiscal body;
(6) the department of environmental management; and
(7) the department. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.305.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-4 County property tax assessment board of appeals hearing; notice
Sec. 4. On receipt of a complete petition as provided under
sections 2 and 3 of this chapter, the board shall at its earliest
opportunity conduct a public hearing on the petition. The board shall
give notice of the date, time, and place fixed for the hearing:
(1) by mail to:
(A) the petitioner;
(B) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(C) all persons that have, as of the date the petition was
filed, a substantial interest of public record in the
brownfield; and
(D) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township
assessor for the township; and
(2) under IC 5-3-1. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.306.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-5 County property tax assessment board of appeals
recommendation; notice; forwarding
Sec. 5. (a) Subject to section 8(g) of this chapter, the board may
recommend that the department grant the petition or that the
department approve a reduction of the delinquent tax liability in an
amount less than the amount sought by the petitioner if the board
determines that:
(1) the brownfield was acquired or is proposed to be acquired
as a result of:
(A) sale or abandonment in a bankruptcy proceeding;
(B) foreclosure or a sheriff's sale;
(C) receivership; or
(D) purchase from a political subdivision;
(2) the plan referred to in section 2(5) of this chapter is in the
best interest of the community;
(3) the waiver or reduction of the delinquent tax liability:
(A) is in the public interest; and
(B) will facilitate development or use of the brownfield;
(4) the petitioner:
(A) has not had an ownership interest in an entity that
contributed; and
(B) has not contributed;
to the contaminant or contaminants on the brownfield;
(5) the department of environmental management has
determined that the property is a brownfield;
(6) if the petitioner is the owner of the brownfield, the
delinquent tax liability sought to be waived or reduced arose
before the petitioner's acquisition of the brownfield; and
(7) no part of the delinquent tax liability can reasonably be
collected from a person other than the owner of the brownfield.
(b) After the hearing and completion of any additional
investigation of the brownfield or of the petitioner that the board
considers necessary, the board shall:
(1) give notice, by mail, to the parties listed in section 4(1) of
this chapter of the board's recommendation that:
(A) the fiscal body deny the petition; or
(B) the department:
(i) deny the petition;
(ii) waive the delinquent tax liability, subject to section
8(g) of this chapter; or
(iii) reduce the delinquent tax liability by a specified
amount, subject to section 8(g) of this chapter; and
(2) forward to the department and the fiscal body a copy of:
(A) the board's recommendation; and
(B) the documents submitted to or collected by the board at
the public hearing or during the course of the board's
investigation of the brownfield or of the petitioner. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-6 Review and recommendation by fiscal body; notice; forwarding
Sec. 6. (a) The fiscal body shall at a regularly scheduled meeting:
(1) review the petition and all other materials submitted by the
board under section 5 of this chapter; and
(2) determine whether to:
(A) deny the petition;
(B) recommend that the department waive the delinquent tax
liability, subject to section 8(g) of this chapter; or
(C) recommend that the department reduce the delinquent
tax liability by a specified amount, subject to section 8(g) of
this chapter.
The fiscal body may recommend a reduction of the delinquent tax
liability in an amount that differs from the amount of reduction
recommended by the board.
(b) The fiscal body shall:
(1) publish notice under IC 5-3-1 of its consideration of the
petition under this section; and
(2) forward to the department written notice of its action under
this section. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-7 Review and action by department of local government finance
Sec. 7. (a) On receipt by the department of a recommendation by
the fiscal body to waive or reduce the delinquent tax liability, the
department shall:
(1) review:
(A) the petition and all other materials submitted by the
board; and
(B) the notice received from the fiscal body; and
(2) subject to subsection (b), determine whether to:
(A) deny the petition;
(B) waive the delinquent tax liability, subject to section 8(g)
of this chapter; or
(C) reduce the delinquent tax liability by a specified amount,
subject to section 8(g) of this chapter.
The department may reduce the delinquent tax liability in an amount
that differs from the amount of reduction recommended by the board
or the fiscal body.
(b) The department's determination to waive or reduce the
delinquent tax liability under subsection (a) is subject to the
limitation in section 8(f)(2) of this chapter. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-8 Notice of action of department of local government finance;
additional review by department; proof of ownership; county
auditor review of plan completion
Sec. 8. (a) The department shall give notice of its determination
under section 7 of this chapter and the right to seek an appeal of the
determination by mail to:
(1) the petitioner;
(2) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(3) all persons that have, as of the date the petition was filed
under section 2 of this chapter, a substantial property interest of
public record in the brownfield;
(4) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(5) the board;
(6) the fiscal body; and
(7) the county auditor.
(b) A person aggrieved by a determination of the department
under section 7 of this chapter may obtain an additional review by
the department and a public hearing by filing a petition for review
with the county auditor of the county in which the brownfield is
located not more than thirty (30) days after the department gives
notice of the determination under subsection (a). The county auditor
shall transmit the petition to the department not more than ten (10)
days after the petition is filed.
(c) On receipt by the department of a petition for review, the
department shall set a date, time, and place for a hearing. At least ten
(10) days before the date fixed for the hearing, the department shall
give notice by mail of the date, time, and place fixed for the hearing
to:
(1) the person that filed the appeal;
(2) the petitioner;
(3) the owner, if different from the petitioner;
(4) all persons that have, as of the date the petition is filed, a
substantial interest of public record in the brownfield;
(5) the assessor of the township in which the brownfield is
located, or the county assessor if there is no township assessor
for the township;
(6) the board;
(7) the fiscal body; and
(8) the county auditor.
(d) After the hearing, the department shall give the parties listed
in subsection (c) notice by mail of the final determination of the
department. The department's final determination under this
subsection is subject to the limitations in subsections (f)(2) and (g).
(e) The petitioner under section 2 of this chapter shall provide to
the county auditor reasonable proof of ownership of the brownfield:
(1) if a petition is not filed under subsection (b), at least thirty
(30) days but not more than one hundred twenty (120) days
after notice is given under subsection (a); or
(2) after notice is given under subsection (d) but not more than
ninety (90) days after notice is given under subsection (d).
(f) The county auditor:
(1) shall, subject to subsection (g), reduce or remove the
delinquent tax liability on the tax duplicate in the amount stated
in:
(A) if a petition is not filed under subsection (b), the
determination of the department under section 7 of this
chapter; or
(B) the final determination of the department under this
section;
not more than thirty (30) days after receipt of the proof of
ownership required in subsection (e); and
(2) may not reduce or remove any delinquent tax liability on the
tax duplicate if the petitioner under section 2 of this chapter
fails to provide proof of ownership as required in subsection
(e).
(g) A reduction or removal of delinquent tax liability under
subsection (f) applies until the county auditor makes a determination
under this subsection. After the date referred to in section 2(6) of this
chapter, the county auditor shall determine if the petitioner
successfully completed the plan described in section 2(5) of this
chapter by that date. If the county auditor determines that the
petitioner completed the plan by that date, the reduction or removal
of delinquent tax liability under subsection (f) becomes permanent.
If the county auditor determines that the petitioner did not complete
the plan by that date, the county auditor shall restore to the tax
duplicate the delinquent taxes reduced or removed under subsection
(f), along with interest in the amount that would have applied if the
delinquent taxes had not been reduced or removed. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.146-2008,
SEC.307.
IC 6-1.1-45.5-9 Appeal of action of department of local government finance
Sec. 9. As provided in IC 6-1.5-5-1, a petitioner under section 2
of this chapter may initiate an appeal of the department's final
determination under section 8 of this chapter by filing a petition with
the county assessor not more than forty-five (45) days after the
department gives the petitioner notice of the final determination. As added by P.L.208-2005, SEC.1.
