Governor Wes Moore appointed Daniel K. Phillips as director of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Phillips has served as interim director since April.
Phillips recently completed his 35th year with SDAT, where he has served in various capacities, including State Supervisor of the Real Property Division, Senior Area Supervisor of Commercial and Industrial Assessments, Supervisor of Assessments for Wicomico County, and as a commercial and industrial assessor in multiple counties.
“I am honored to continue leading SDAT into the future and thank Governor Moore for this appointment,” said Phillips. “Since I stepped into the interim director position two months ago, I have been focused on building partnerships across government, supporting our staff, and providing efficient service for SDAT customers statewide. I am excited to continue this work.”
SDAT is responsible for assessing property in Maryland. Maryland divides more than two million property accounts into three groups, each appraised by SDAT once every three years. As the property tax is the largest source of local revenue for Maryland’s county governments, assessments conducted by the State, rather than the local governments, help assure taxpayers that the assessing body provides objective, unbiased analysis.
When property values increase, the increase phases in equal increments over the next three years. With its three-year phase-in schedule, this triennial process deliberately provides taxpayers with some cushion during periods of swift and considerable increases in property values.
Born and raised on the Eastern Shore, Director Phillips graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in Business Administration. He is a current member of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and a member and Past President of the Maryland Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO).
