TAX-EXEMPT PROPERTY INFO DISCLOSURE H.B. 4051:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4051 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Jeff Farrington
CONTENT
The bill would amend the revenue Act to allow the State Treasurer, or a person designated by the State Treasurer, to disclose the address and millage rate of each housing unit that is part of a tax-exempt housing project, and whether the unit was subject to a service charge in lieu of property taxes.
The Act generally prohibits Department of Treasury officials from divulging facts or information obtained in connection with the administration of a tax. The bill would create an exemption to the prohibition for information related to housing projects that are exempt from ad valorem taxes under Section 15a of the State Housing Development Authority Act or under Section 11a of Public Act 18 of 1933, which deals with municipal housing programs.
(Section 15a of the State Housing Development Authority Act exempts a housing project owned by a nonprofit housing corporation, consumer housing cooperative, limited dividend housing corporation, mobile home park corporation, or mobile home park association financed through Federal aid or the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), from all ad valorem property taxes imposed by the State or by any political subdivision, public body, or taxing district in which the project is located.
Under Section 11a of Public Act 18 of 1933, the property of a qualified entity located in the incorporating unit of a municipal housing commission is exempt from all taxation by the State or any of its political subdivisions. A "qualified entity" is either a nonprofit corporation owned or controlled by the commission, or a for-profit corporation, partnership, or company formed or incorporated by the commission for the sole purpose of obtaining low-income housing tax credits in connection with the redevelopment of a housing project owned by the commission.)
MCL 205.28 Legislative Analyst: Ryan M. Bergan
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimal or no fiscal impact on the Department of Treasury. Any costs that could come from implementing the bill would be minimal and require no additional funding. Savings could be seen if the additional information resulted in a reduction of errors in tax paperwork; however, these savings, if any, also would be minimal. Some additional individuals could be able to claim the homestead property tax credit, due to the access to ad valorem property tax information; however, at this time, it is not estimated that this would result in any significant negative revenue impact on the overall State budget.
The bill would have no impact on local units of government since it would not change how they collect property taxes and millages.
Date Completed: 3-16-15 Fiscal Analyst: Cory Savino
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.