Statement - August 2004

46th Institute on Property Taxation
Joint Annual Conference Set for October 18-19, 2004

Rendering property and school finance are two of the opening topics at the 46th Institute on Property Taxation held in conjunction with the Comptroller’s Property Tax Division 26th Annual Conference for tax professionals and taxpayers. The conference is a joint effort of the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) School of Public Affairs and property tax associations.

The conference is Monday and Tuesday, October 18 and 19, at the Joe C. Thompson Conference Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The Thompson Conference Center is at the southwest corner of Red River and Dean Keeton Streets in Austin, directly north of the LBJ Library. The conference dates were selected for available meeting and hotel facilities. All conference sessions and workshops will be held in the Thompson Conference Center.

The $135 registration fee covers the cost of general sessions, workshops, refreshments and handouts. Please send the fee with the registration form to the address listed on the registration form. The form is a PDF file. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will need to download the latest version to view and print this file.

Time information

Registration will be in the lobby of the Thompson Conference Center between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning, October 18. General sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, October 19. Workshop sessions will be from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday.

Hotel arrangements

The Omni Austin Hotel at Downtown has set aside a block of rooms for conference participants at the preferential room rate of $80 for a single and $103 for a double, plus $12 per day for parking. The hotel is located at 700 San Jacinto, at the corner of San Jacinto and 8th Street. The hotel’s telephone number is (512) 476-3700.

The special rate will be offered until September 24, or until the room block is filled. Please tell the reservation clerk that you are a program participant to obtain the special rate.

Special assistance

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs staff wants to assist people with special needs. Please indicate on the registration form if a person requires assistance. The staff asks for notice by October 5.

Refund policy

If pre-registered but unable to attend, a person is entitled to a full refund if the LBJ School receives cancellation notice at least three working days before the conference. The person must request the refund in writing, stating the social security/tax I.D. number of the refund recipient.

Refunds will be processed after the completion of the conference. Partial refunds or payments cannot be accepted or processed. There will be no refunds for late cancellations and no-shows. The LBJ School cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred before a person received a confirmation of registration from the LBJ School office.

Conference schedule

The conference schedule highlights the sessions and workshops for each day. Topics will be of interest to appraisal districts, taxing units, appraisal review boards and property owners.

The 46th Institute on Property Taxation
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn's
Property Tax Division 26th Annual Conference
October 18-19, 2004, U.T. Thompson Conference Center

Monday, October 18, 2004

7:30 a.m. Registration
Thompson Conference Center Lobby, Room 1.110

Opening General Session

8:30 a.m. Welcome & Introduction
Room 1.110

8:45 a.m Rendering Property.
A panel will review the first year of implementing the new rendition requirements and any issues to be resolved by the 79th Texas Legislature for tax year 2005.

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m. School Finance Reform - Moving Forward.
This speaker will address school finance since the special 2004 legislative session and what to expect during the 2005 regular session.

11:00 a.m. School Finance Reform - Point and Counterpoint.
Two speakers will address issues on school finance from the property tax perspective.

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own

1:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshop Topics

Manufactured Housing - Current Issues on Appraisal and Collection.
This workshop will review current requirements on administering property taxes on manufactured housing.

Capped Appraised Values.
A panel will discuss the rising of capped values in a soft market and what issues have arisen with property owners in understanding these values.

Exemptions - News and Changes.
This workshop will detail issues with the exemption law changes and what issues surfaced in implementing the new laws.

Collection Forum - Open Discussion of Collection Issues.
This question and answer session will review current practices and see about future changes in collections from the legislative session.

Collecting and Reporting Sales.
This workshop will detail required items in reporting sales data to the Comptroller's Property Tax Division

3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshops Topics

Appraisal District Purchasing and Contracting Authority.
This workshop will address the change in statutory law for appraisal districts to use municipal purchasing procedures rather than those of the county, including what those provisions are.

Buying Property at Tax Foreclosure Sale - New Law on Bidders.
This session will look at how tax collectors have implemented House Bill 335, requiring a person purchasing property at a tax foreclosure sale to owe no delinquent property taxes to the county or to a school district or city in that county. The speakers will talk about what has worked and not worked, including successful tips.

Comptroller's Property Value Study and Appeals.
Comptroller staff will offer tips on avoiding "late sales" and respond to questions about the study, appraisal standards reviews and other current issues.

Electronic Notice Requirements by Comptroller Rule.
This workshop will discuss the required Comptroller rule and outline the prescribed media, format, content and methods for Tax Code Section 25.19 notices for 2005 and 2006.

Changes for Appraisal Review Board Members.
This workshop will review recent law changes dealing with the appeals process and areas of concern.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Room 1.110

Closing General Session

8:30 a.m. News from the Board of Tax Professional Examiners (BTPE). .
This quick review will address any current or upcoming items of interest to those registered with BTPE.

8:50 a.m. Soothing Unhappy People.
This session will look at methods used to calm angry people and navigate difficult situations, both in the office with co-workers and with taxpayers.

10:00-10:20 a.m. Break

10:20 a.m. Valuing Business Property - The Intangible Question.
This session will explore the appraisal of business property and the best way to determine the portion not taxed as business intangibles.

11:15 a.m. Recent Court Decisions and Attorney General Opinions.
The speaker will review recent court rulings on property tax and related issues and pending or released Texas Attorney General opinions.

12:00 p.m. Adjourn

Monday, October 18, 2004
7:30 a.m.	Registration Thompson Conference Center Lobby, Room 1.110
Opening General Session
8:30 a.m.	Welcome & Introduction Room 1.110
8:45 a.m	Rendering Property. A panel will review the first year of implementing the new rendition requirements and any issues to be resolved by the 79th Texas Legislature for tax year 2005.
10:00 - 10:30 a.m.	Break
10:30 a.m.	School Finance Reform - Moving Forward. This speaker will address school finance since the special 2004 legislative session and what to expect during the 2005 regular session.
11:00 a.m.	School Finance Reform - Point and Counterpoint. Two speakers will address issues on school finance from the property tax perspective.
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.	Lunch on your own
1:30 p.m.	Concurrent Workshop Topics Manufactured Housing - Current Issues on Appraisal and Collection. This workshop will review current requirements on administering property taxes on manufactured housing. Capped Appraised Values. A panel will discuss the rising of capped values in a soft market and what issues have arisen with property owners in understanding these values. Exemptions - News and Changes. This workshop will detail issues with the exemption law changes and what issues surfaced in implementing the new laws. Collection Forum - Open Discussion of Collection Issues. This question and answer session will review current practices and see about future changes in collections from the legislative session. Collecting and Reporting Sales. This workshop will detail required items in reporting sales data to the Comptroller's Property Tax Division
3:00 - 3:30 p.m.	Break
3:30 p.m.	Concurrent Workshops Topics Appraisal District Purchasing and Contracting Authority. This workshop will address the change in statutory law for appraisal districts to use municipal purchasing procedures rather than those of the county, including what those provisions are. Buying Property at Tax Foreclosure Sale - New Law on Bidders. This session will look at how tax collectors have implemented House Bill 335, requiring a person purchasing property at a tax foreclosure sale to owe no delinquent property taxes to the county or to a school district or city in that county. The speakers will talk about what has worked and not worked, including successful tips. Comptroller's Property Value Study and Appeals. Comptroller staff will offer tips on avoiding "late sales" and respond to questions about the study, appraisal standards reviews and other current issues. Electronic Notice Requirements by Comptroller Rule. This workshop will discuss the required Comptroller rule and outline the prescribed media, format, content and methods for Tax Code Section 25.19 notices for 2005 and 2006. Changes for Appraisal Review Board Members. This workshop will review recent law changes dealing with the appeals process and areas of concern.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004 Room 1.110
Closing General Session
8:30 a.m.	News from the Board of Tax Professional Examiners (BTPE). . This quick review will address any current or upcoming items of interest to those registered with BTPE.
8:50 a.m.	Soothing Unhappy People. This session will look at methods used to calm angry people and navigate difficult situations, both in the office with co-workers and with taxpayers.
10:00-10:20 a.m.	Break
10:20 a.m.	Valuing Business Property - The Intangible Question. This session will explore the appraisal of business property and the best way to determine the portion not taxed as business intangibles.
11:15 a.m.	Recent Court Decisions and Attorney General Opinions. The speaker will review recent court rulings on property tax and related issues and pending or released Texas Attorney General opinions.
12:00 p.m.	Adjourn