Millions of dollars in proposed tax increases denied Utah cities, counties by tightened Truth in Taxation process

SALT LAKE CITY — Millions of dollars in proposed tax increases are now off the table for 39 cities and other entities across Utah because they did not meet all the requirements for the “Truth in Taxation” process.

This stems from recently passed laws, SB202 and SB29 , that direct the Utah Tax Commission to deny proposals that do not meet the standards, where in years’ past the commission may have been more lenient.

Utah Taxpayers Association President Bill Hesterman said that while it may seem trivial to some, it is the law.

“In the session this year, Senator (Chris) Wilson had a bill … that gave the tax commission a little more authority to let them know, ‘Hey actually you didn’t do it right. You didn’t follow the law, so we need to impose the law, and not allow you to have your tax in