It is an honor and a pleasure for me to submit this, the Sixty-First Annual Report of the Department of Assessments and Taxation. This report presents an examination of this agency's functions, a review of significant developments during the past year, and important statistical data presented in tabular form.

           Maryland has continued to provide the public with a high level of access to services and data through the dedicated work of the employees of our agency as well as the Internet and other technological advancements. The extensive range of public data available provides the basis of our real and personal property assessments and our business document filings. As a result, Maryland taxpayers, businesses and citizens alike have greater confidence in our work.

           In December 2004, Assessment notices were mailed to 692,000 property owners throughout Maryland and reflected the continued phenomenal growth in real estate values across the State for the past three years. These growth trends have created an average 46.6 percent increase in assessment values for reassessed properties statewide; this is an annual increase of 15.5% for each of the next three years. This is the largest value increase in Maryland since the beginning of triennial reassessments in 1980.

           I am dedicated to ensuring that all Maryland property owners and businesses will receive the highest caliber of professional, prompt and courteous service. I welcome any suggestions regarding this report or ideas which would enhance our level of services.

Sincerely,
C. John Sullivan, Jr.
Director