It is an honor and a pleasure for me to submit this, the Sixty-Second 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.

Through the dedication and hard work of our employees this agency has been able to provide the public with a high level of access to services and data both in person and via the Internet. 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 of 2005, Assessment Notices were mailed to 711,000 property owners throughout Maryland and reflected the continued phenomenal growth in real estate values across the State over the past three years. These growth trends created an average increase of 60.2 percent in assessment values for reassessed properties statewide; this is an annual increase of 20.1.% for each of the next three years. This was 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.