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Tax Division - Additional Information

District of Columbia Code provides that any person who disputes any assessment by the District of any personal property, inheritance, estate, business privilege, income and franchise, sales alcoholic beverages, gross receipts, gross earnings, insurance premiums or motor vehicle fuel tax or taxes, or penalties thereon may within six months after the date of such assessment, appeal it to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. However such person shall first pay such tax together with penalties and interest due to the D.C. Treasurer. The mailing to the taxpayer of a statement of taxes due shall be considered notice of assessment. The Court shall hear and determine all questions arising on appeal.

All petitions must be filed in compliance with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Tax Rules which are available in the Tax Division, Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue N.W., Room, 3131

Pursuant to Superior Court Tax Rule Number 4, the fees are as follows:

Petition $120.00
Motion $20.00
Motion to open $35.00
Appeal to D.C. Court of Appeals $100.00
Photocopies .50 per page

In addition, please see the civil fee schedule as prescribed in Superior Court Rules for the Civil Division.

Upon filing a Petition of a tax appeal in the Superior Court's Tax Division, it is the petitioner's responsibility to see the case through to final disposition. Those who consider representing themselves are advised to consult an attorney. This is especially important since the rules of procedure and the rules of evidence apply equally to all parties, regardless of whether they are represented by a lawyer or not. The District of Columbia Superior Court rules for the Tax Division govern all proceedings and the petitioner will be expected to know how these rules affect each phase of the case.

After the petition is filed, the Assistant Attorney General who is handling the case for the city will respond to the petition with a document called an answer. An initial status hearing will be scheduled to occur within approximately three months of the filing date. The petitioner is required to attend all status hearings; failure to attend a status hearing may result in the dismissal of the case. When the case is called the petitioner is expected to inform the Court of the status of the case, including any settlement discussions, estimation of time to complete pretrial matters such as discovery, or whether he or she wishes to continue to negotiate under the auspices of the District of Columbia Courts' Multi-Door Dispute Resolution Division.

The Tax Division has custody of all records of Tax Appeal cases that have been filed since 1938. Those who would like a copy of their appeal may request such at .50 per page by telephone or in writing. Please provide as much information as possible about the case, such as case number, name of petitioner, the date the memorandum opinion or order was decided. If the request is in writing the petitioner should state his or her name, address and telephone number. All checks must be made payable to the Clerk, Superior Court of District of Columbia.

What to Expect After Filing Your Petition in the Tax Division [20KB]

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