DC Government

UPDATE from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer:

“Review of IRS Advisory on Prepayment of Real Property Taxes

Late on December 27, 2017, the IRS issued a news release in the form of an IRS Advisory, “Prepaid Property Taxes May be Deductible in 2017 If Assessed and Paid in 2017.” In short, the IRS Advisory states, “State or local law determines whether and when a property tax is assessed, which is generally when the taxpayer becomes liable for the property tax imposed.”

For the District of Columbia, real property taxes for Fiscal Year 2018 (October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018) are assessed, by law, as part of the approved budget approval process for the new fiscal year which begins October 1. At that time, the tax rate is set and the liability is established for all properties for the fiscal year. Taxpayers also received Notice of Proposed Assessments for Fiscal Year 2018 as of March 1, 2017. Taxpayers must make payments on or before March 31, 2018 and on or before September 15, 2018. The billings for the first half of the fiscal year will be sent no later than February 28, 2018 and for the second half of the fiscal year on or before August 15, 2018. The attached IRS Advisory provides two examples for when a taxpayer can and cannot deduct prepayment of these taxes in 2017. Based on a legal review by the Office of Tax and Revenue, the District falls under Example 1 which indicates taxpayers prepaying their 2018 tax bills in 2017 can deduct the tax payments on their 2017 tax return. Pursuant to the IRS Advisory, since the District both assessed properties and set real property tax liabilities in 2017, there is a basis, if a taxpayer chooses to prepay real property taxes by December 31, 2017, for the taxpayer to claim a deduction on his or her 2017 return.

The Office of Tax and Revenue continues to recommend that taxpayers consult with their own tax advisors before making any prepayments. They may also need to coordinate payments with their mortgage company.

How to Prepay Real Property Taxes (more…)

From DPW:

“Clarification: trees should be placed where your recyclables are regularly collected between Jan. 13 and Feb. 2. Curbside ONLY if that’s where your recyclables are normally collected.

With the holiday season coming to a close over the next several weeks, thousands of DC residents will be looking for an environmentally friendly way to dispose of their holiday trees and greenery. The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) is pleased to provide District residents with two easy options for having their cut holiday trees and greenery recycled (no artificial trees).

The first option is for residents to bring their trees and greenery, free of charge, to either of the District’s transfer stations. The Fort Totten Transfer Station is located at 4900 John F. McCormack Drive, NE, and the Benning Road Transfer Station is located at 3200 Benning Road, NE.

The second option (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser today applauded the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, which show Washington, DC’s population continued to climb in 2017. Newly released figures indicate the District of Columbia is quickly approaching 700,000 residents after a growth rate of 1.4 percent between July 1, 2016 and July 1, 2017 – ranking the District eighth in percent growth among the states. As of July 1, Census data estimated the District’s population to be 693,972.

“Washington, DC continues to attract new residents from around the region and across the globe. We are a city where people want to do business, raise a family, and age in place – a city committed to our residents and DC values,” said Mayor Bowser. “As we continue to grow, my Administration remains laser-focused on creating jobs, producing and preserving affordable housing, accelerating school reform, and building a safer, stronger DC.”

With an average monthly growth of 803 residents, the District should hit the 700,000 resident mark within the next few months, officials forecast.

The District added 9,636 people from July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017. Population growth in the District during this year-long period was comprised by gains from net natural increase (i.e. births minus deaths) (4,293), followed by net international migration (4,160) and net domestic migration (1,152). More than 9,700 babies were born in the District during this period, continuing the increase in young children residing in Washington, DC.

The city continued to show positive population growth in the data released for all three broad age categories. Of the 9,636 new residents citywide, 0-17 year-olds accounted for 37 percent (+3,581 residents); 18-64 year-olds accounted for 45 percent (+4,368 residents) and persons 65 years and over accounted for 17.5 percent (+1,687 residents).

The District population has risen every year since 2006, and has soared by more than 100,000 people over the last decade. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

Even if DC lets you prepay your property taxes, would that pass muster under the GOP bill in order to claim your deduction for 2018 taxes paid in 2017? Looking to the PoPville community of accountants, realtors, and lawyers to weigh in.”

From the Mayor’s Office:

“After Congress passed tax reform legislation, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitt announced that District property owners can pre-pay their property taxes in preparation for the upcoming tax year. The tax reform legislation limits the amount of state and local income and real property taxes that individuals may deduct from their federal income tax, beginning in calendar year 2018. Under the new law, the amount that may be deducted is limited to $10,000 of the combined local income or sales taxes and real property taxes. (This applies only to taxpayers who itemize their income tax filings; taxpayers who do not itemize will get no tax benefit by paying early.)

To get the full benefit of that deduction in 2017, District property owners can pay their 2018 real property taxes in 2017. These payments must be received and recorded in calendar year 2017. The payments made will be credited to the calendar year 2018 real property tax obligation.

“Because of how hastily this tax reform legislation was created and passed, even its authors cannot fully explain all of the many ways it will hurt millions of hardworking Americans. One thing we do know, however, is that by limiting income and property tax deductions to $10,000, it will indeed raise taxes,” said Mayor Bowser. “Going forward, we plan to use every tool in our toolbox to protect Washingtonians from the negative impacts of this devastating legislation. With less than two weeks left in 2017, we will spread the word that one way Washingtonians can get the highest deduction possible is to pre-pay property taxes before the year ends.”

“Despite our efforts in the House and Senate, Republicans rammed through their corporate tax cut bill, without any hearings,” said Congresswoman Norton. “D.C. residents, who already pay the highest federal taxes per capita in the nation, without representation, should consult their tax advisor because prepaying their 2018 property taxes could help avoid being double taxed, at least for next year. If so, we count this as our first step against this tax bill. The next step will be holding Republicans accountable for their Christmas gift to corporations at the expense of hard-working Americans in the District and across the nation.”

The property tax payment can be made two ways: (more…)

Thanks to Jack for sending: “there’s a bike lane in there, somewhere. This is Klingle Road, west of Adams Mill Road, going down into Rock Creek Park.”

From DPW:

“Dear District Residents,

2017/2018 Leaf Collection Schedule Update: Unfortunately, our collection crews are behind schedule in some areas of the city, which has been exacerbated by recent winter weather events. Leaf collection crews are the backbone of our city’s snow program. When snow is predicted, our trucks’ leaf collection equipment is replaced with snow plows and salt spreaders, and our crews receive snow and ice removal assignments. After a storm clears, leaf crews resume collections across the District–there may be delays, but neighborhoods are never skipped. We thank you for your patience and apologize for the inconvenience. Assuming the current weather forecast holds, we expect to be back on schedule by the end of this week.

Should you have questions about the collection schedule in your neighborhood, please contact our customer service specialist Hope Cousin directly at [email protected].”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

From the Mayor’s Office:

“This week, Mayor Bowser signed a Mayor’s Order requiring all 30,000-plus DC Government employees to complete sexual harassment training by February 28, 2018. The measure also mandates that all 1,500 supervisors complete advanced training to ensure any complaints are handled thoroughly and efficiently. Mayor’s Order 2017-313 “Sexual Harassment Policy, Guidance and Procedures” modernizes previous guidelines, a review which the Bowser Administration undertook amid the much-needed and growing conversation on sexual harassment around the nation. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve lived in DC for about 12 years (the last 3 years in Petworth), and I have a one-year-old daughter. As I’m sure you understand, finding good childcare was a struggle for my family. You may have heard that last December, DC passed some new regulations requiring all daycare workers to get college degrees. These regulations are going to put hundreds of qualified people out of work and make daycare even more expensive. DC already requires daycare workers to take orientation training and continuing education classes. Now the city wants to add an unnecessary college degree just to care for babies and toddlers. Already-qualified and experienced daycare workers are going to be forced to take classes in English literature, public speaking and chemistry. This doesn’t even cover workers who will need to take ESL classes before they can take regular college classes. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user UrsulaAntares

From a press release:

“The Department of Public Works (DPW) is pleased to announce that there will now be three locations open throughout the winter season for residents to bring their food waste to be composted. The food waste drop-off locations at Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, and Eastern Market will now be open year-round.

“Since the District first launched our Food Waste Drop-Off program in the spring, we’ve seen residents’ interest continue to grow,” said DPW Director Christopher Shorter. “With locations now open throughout the winter months, we’re able to provide residents with an easy way to compost their leftover food scraps year-round.”

Earlier this year on Earth Day, Mayor Bowser kicked off DPW’s first citywide Food Waste Drop-Off program. Through the free service, residents are able to drop-off food waste at designated farmers markets in all eight city wards. (more…)