CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Department of Revenue is seeking an additional $1.1 million in the new state budget to help pay for a new computer program that will impact property assessment in all 55 counties.
State Revenue Secretary Dave Hardy and state Tax Commissioner Dale Steager appeared before the House Finance Committee Friday to explain why the Integrated Assessment System needs replaced.
“The current system was last updated in 2004 and it’s using antiquated software and is no longer supported by the vendors,” Steager said.
The $1.1 million requested in the new budget will be joined with a $5 million carry-over in the current budget to purchase and implement the system.
Hardy said training will take place in the offices of all 55 county assessors.
“It will take three years to bring this system up. It will involve training. It will involve being able to go out in the field and use iPads to take pictures of property and enter data in real time and it’s real important,” Hardy said.
Steager said the collection of property taxes depends on a reliable IAS.
“The bottom line is that if this system goes down the ability to collect local property taxes is greatly reduced,” Steager said. “We really need to move to get the new system in place.”
Steager said he’s hopeful the vendor can be chosen sometime this spring.
Friday’s budget presentation included information about improving numbers in the auditing division of the Department of Revenue. Hardy said they’ve been able to increase pay for the positions.
Hardy also said taxpayer services is looking forward to a better tax season. He said a new automated phone system along with the hiring of retired tax division employees to work part-time should help reduce the wait for residents who call in with questions about their tax returns