Marylanders Face Long Wait In Assessment Appeals

Delays can stretch for months, state officials say
The assessed value of Jack Becker's three-bedroom split-level home in Reisterstown dropped nearly $90,000 in the past five years. But in a bad economy, Becker still thought his assessment — and property taxes — were too high.

He filed an appeal to the state Department of Assessments and Taxation. It was denied. Then, Becker waited more than nine months for a hearing with a local appeals board, finally getting one in November. He still hadn't gotten the results of the hearing when he paid his tax bill in December.

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