Seeking answers from Tax Commission on property taxes

By Rep. Justin Humphrey

I’ve sent the following letter to Oklahoma Tax Commissioner Mark Wood asking him to answer a series of questions about county property and personal property taxes.

Commissioner Mark Wood

I am writing to request your assistance in answering  a few questions regarding Oklahoma taxes. Oklahoma citizens are angry at the escalation of county taxes. Oklahomans are hearing politicians promise to reduce taxes like income tax and grocery tax. Yet, county tax assessors are claiming your agency is  applying extreme pressure to increase property and personal property ad valorem taxes. The perpetual property tax increases have motivated me to ask if, and if so, why is the Tax Commission pressuring counties to raise property taxes? It appears property taxes are being raised to compensate for lost tax revenue after reducing the grocery tax and the anticipation of reducing income tax.

Please answer the following questions.

1. Is the Oklahoma Tax Commission forcing county tax assessors to increase property and personal property taxes?
2. What can the Oklahoma Tax Commission do to force county assessors to increase our local property tax?
3. Has the Tax Commission been pressured themselves to increase property taxes?

I have received reports that tax assessors are demanding access into private storage buildings, commercial businesses and other properties. Based on reports, the tax assessors are demanding to tax items that have never been checked such as 4 wheelers, chairs and other furniture. It appears tax assessors may be overstepping their authority by demanding to enter private property.

Please answer.

1. Can county assessors access private property demanding to enter homes or out buildings such as barns and sheds?
2. Would tax assessors require a search warrant to gain access into private property?

Mental Health has failed to provide adequate inpatient beds resulting in county jails being forced to incarcerate mental health offenders. This has resulted in a rash of lawsuits that have resulted in property tax increases across the state.

1. How often and how much can county assessors increase property taxes?
2. Can county excise boards refuse to increase property tax to pay lawsuit settlements?
3. If excise boards refuse to increase property tax who would be responsible for paying settlements?

The surge of lawsuits has resulted in many counties losing jail insurance, and Oklahoma has seen an increase in school lawsuits. Many of these lawsuits have resulted in settlements for millions. With no insurance, property owners have reasonable concerns that property taxes could double or triple.

1. Is there a limit to property tax increases to settle lawsuits?
2. What happens if a group of county property owners refuse to pay unreasonable increases in taxes?
3. Do property owners have standing to file a lawsuit against the State of Oklahoma Tax Commission, Mental Health, House of Representatives, Senate and the Governor for failing to institute state question 781 and failing to pay for mental health beds?

The communities I serve are outraged over the endless increases in our personal property taxes. I hope you can assist in providing  explanations for the relentless increases.

I’ll keep you updated on any response I get.