Journal of Property Tax Assessment & Administration
Abstract
This article will consider the issue of privacy in assessment records from several viewpoints. Although a comprehensive survey of information privacy law is well beyond the scope of the present inquiry, some general background on privacy law will be described. General principles of open access to government records, and in particular tax assessment records, under state freedom of information acts and other statutes will be reviewed in light of privacy concerns and the increase in such concerns resulting from advances in technology. Case law from several states on access to assessment records for various purposes will be reviewed, with a focus on the tension between enforcing uniformity and privacy rights. Finally, some brief consideration will be given to issues raised by the bulk sale of assessment records to information brokers or other commercial users. In conclusion, some suggestions will be made regarding balancing taxpayers’ rights to disclosure of assessment records, especially for purposes of assessment appeals based on uniformity, against the privacy rights of the subjects of the records that would be disclosed.
First Page
13
Last Page
35
Keywords
Freedom of Information, Privacy, Right of, Public records, Legal research guides/aids
Notes
This article is based on a presentation given at the International Association of Assessing Officers’ annual Legal Seminar held in San Francisco, California, from November 30 to December 1, 2006. Includes cases denying disclosure and cases permitting disclosure.
Recommended Citation
Davis, M. R. (2007). Freedom of information in the internet age: assessment rolls, data, and privacy. Journal of Property Tax Assessment & Administration, 4(4), 13-35. Retrieved from https://researchexchange.iaao.org/jptaa/vol4/iss4/2
