Summary
ruling that where a requested reduction in RMV will not affect property taxes taxpayers are not aggrieved
Summary of this case from Holland v. Multnomah County AssessorOpinion
TC 4628.
Decision for Defendant rendered January 30, 2004.
Plaintiffs appeal from a Decision of Dismissal of the Magistrate Division. Plaintiffs allege that Multnomah County officials increased the real market value (RMV) of their floating home in retaliation for filing a previous appeal with this court and that they are aggrieved because the increased RMV could affect their tax bill in futuro. Defendant Department of Revenue argued Plaintiffs were not aggrieved because their assessed value is based on their maximum assessed value, not the RMV, and there is no compression. Granting Defendant's motion to dismiss, the court found Plaintiffs were not aggrieved by the assessor's action so as to come under ORS 305.275.
Property Taxation — Standing — Aggrieved
In cases where, even if Plaintiffs were successful in their action, there would be no direct impact on them, they are not aggrieved under ORS 305.275 and the court does not proceed.
Submitted on various motions.
Phillip Sherman and Vivian Sherman, Plaintiffs (taxpayers), filed the response pro se.
Douglas M. Adair, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Salem, filed the Motion to Dismiss for Defendant (the department).
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiffs (taxpayers) complain of an increase in the real market value (RMV) of a floating home for the 2002-03 tax year. The property apparently was assessed at a maximum assessed value that was substantially below the RMV. Taxpayers have not alleged that the lower RMV for which they contend would have any affect on the tax due on the property. They have in fact admitted, "the increase in the RMV of the floating home of Slip No. 10 does not immediately impact the Plaintiffs."
Defendant Department of Revenue (the department) has filed a Motion to Dismiss, asserting that taxpayers are not aggrieved. Taxpayers have opposed that motion.
The filing of taxpayers was styled as a cross-motion for summary judgment. It will be treated as an opposition to the Motion to Dismiss.
II. ISSUE
Are taxpayers aggrieved by the actions of the assessor so as to come within ORS 305.275?
All references to the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) are to 2001.
III. ANALYSIS
Taxpayers admit that even if they were to be successful in their action, there would be no immediate impact on them. In such cases this court does not proceed. Kaady v. Dept. of Rev., 15 OTR 124 (2000); Parks Westsac L.L.C. v. Dept. of Rev., 15 OTR 50 (1999). Taxpayers assert actions of the assessor here were improperly motivated and that they have been denied uniform treatment. Those claims are appendages to the underlying claim as to valuation and suffer its fate.
IV. CONCLUSION
Taxpayers' Complaint must be dismissed. The department's Motion to Dismiss should be granted. Now, therefore,
IT IS ORDERED that Defendant's Motion to Dismiss is granted, and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Complaint is dismissed.