The Buckeye Institute submitted a proposed rule change to the Ohio Supreme Court on Mar. 18 that would allow certain non-lawyer professionals to represent property owners before county boards of revision in property evaluation complaints.
The proposal aims to let public accountants, general and real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, and other designated professionals file complaints, provide evidence, and represent homeowners at local board of revision hearings. The amendment does not permit these non-lawyers to represent homeowners in appeals to the common pleas court or board of tax appeals.
“Allowing competent, non-lawyer professionals to assist and further represent homeowners through the first stage of a valuation challenge can significantly reduce costs for taxpayers seeking to reduce their property taxes. Therefore, The Buckeye Institute respectfully requests that the Supreme Court of Ohio adopt the proposed amendment,” The Buckeye Institute said in its submission.
According to the official website, The Buckeye Institute is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and relies on private funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization has offices on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeye Institute works to promote free-market public policy through research, data analysis, and policy development according to its official website. While it focuses primarily on Ohio issues, it also promotes free-market ideas nationally and provides policymakers with research and data aimed at advancing free-market principles according to the organization.
The next steps regarding consideration or adoption of the proposed rule change by the Ohio Supreme Court have not yet been announced.
