PROP. TAX: TRANSFER OWNERSHIP - S.B. 709: COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 709 (as introduced 9-21-99)

Sponsor: Senator Mike Goschka

Committee: Finance


Date Completed: 10-5-99


CONTENT


The bill would amend the General Property Tax Act to expand the Act's exemption for transfers of property between family members. The bill specifies that a transfer of ownership of property would not include a transfer of property between or among immediate family members, including from a father or mother, or both, to his or her or their child or children; or from an individual to one or more of his or her siblings.


Under Article 9, Section 3 of the State Constitution, for 1995 and thereafter, annual assessment increases on each parcel of property (adjusted for additions and losses) is limited to the lesser or 5% or the rate of inflation. When property is subsequently transferred (as defined in the General Property Tax Act) the assessed value reverts to 50% of true cash value. The Act contains an extensive list of what does and what does not constitute a transfer of ownership of property. Currently, under the Act, a transfer of ownership does not include a transfer of property from a spouse to the other spouse, or from a decedent to a surviving spouse; the bill would retain that exemption.


MCL 211.27a - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne


FISCAL IMPACT


The bill would exempt from transfers of property, transfers from a parent to a child and from an individual to a sibling. If 1% of houses sold were transfers of property from and to the family members specified in the bill, the State and local fiscal impact would be less than $1 million.


- Fiscal Analyst: R. RossS9900\s709sa

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.