The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) named Bob Yaeger its new deputy director.
“We are thrilled to welcome a seasoned government official back to our department,” said Dan Phillips, Director of SDAT. “Bob’s extensive experience will be instrumental in improving our efficiency and services at such an exciting time in our agency.”
As Deputy Director, Yaeger will collaborate closely with Director Phillips to oversee overall agency operations, policy, and communications. He will also spearhead the development of strategic plans to enhance the Department’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Yaeger’s career at SDAT began in the Business Charter Legal Division. In 2019, he was appointed Maryland’s first State Tax Sale Ombudsman, where he launched and directed the office to assist homeowners in paying their taxes, keeping their homes, and improving their financial situations.
He successfully championed over a dozen tax sale reforms and built a network of strategic partnerships throughout the State. In 2022, Bob oversaw the launch of SDAT’s Homeowner Protection Program, which provides loans and support to at-risk homeowners, earning him a Governor’s Citation for his initiative and success.
Additionally, Yaeger served as SDAT’s legislative officer, creating over two dozen bills to improve processes for business owners, taxpayer services, administrative efficiency, and interagency initiatives.
Most recently, Yaeger served as assistant commissioner for policy at the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. In this role, he advised the Commissioner and the Secretary of Labor, directed legislation and regulation efforts, managed the State Student Loan Ombudsman’s office, and led OFR’s Federal Government Relations and Strategic Planning programs.
Yaeger, a licensed Maryland attorney, has contributed to the MD Attorney General’s Access to Justice Task Force committees, the MD GFOA’s Tax Affinity Group, and is a member of the MD Council on Economic Education. He earned his BA in English from Occidental College and a JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
The property tax is the largest source of local revenue for Maryland’s county governments. Counties rely on this revenue to fund schools, public safety, infrastructure, public health, and other essential services.
SDAT is responsible for assessing property in Maryland. Assessments conducted by the State, rather than the local governments, help assure taxpayers that the assessing body provides objective, unbiased analysis.
Maryland divides more than two million property accounts into three groups, each appraised by SDAT once every three years. There are 24 local state assessment offices, one in each county and one in Baltimore City.
