Section 50IAC15-5-5. Communication with client or prospective client

   (a) A certified property tax representative shall not use or participate in the use of any false, fraudulent, unduly influencing, coercive, unfair, misleading, or deceptive statement or claims with respect to any matter relating to the practice before the property tax assessment board of appeals or the department.

  (b) Beginning January 1, 2001, a property tax representative shall advise the client or prospective client in writing, using a typeface of not less than 12-point, either on the power of attorney or in some other form that may be reasonably interpreted by the taxpayer (the property owner, or person liable for the taxes under IC 6-1.1-2-4) to set forth the rights of the taxpayer with regard to his or her appeal, the following:

"I understand that by authorizing __________ to serve as my certified property tax representative, I am aware of and accept the possibility that the property value may increase as a result of filing an administrative appeal with the property tax assessment board of appeals and that I may be compelled to appear at a hearing before the property tax assessment board of appeals or the department of local government finance.

I further understand that the certified property tax representative is not an attorney and may not present arguments of a legal nature on my behalf.".

  (c) The disclosure shall be signed by the taxpayer. The certified property tax representative shall provide the taxpayer with a copy of the disclosure and shall be required to provide a copy of the disclosure to the property tax assessment board of appeals. Failure to provide a signed copy of disclosure upon request may be grounds for an action for revocation of the tax representative's certification under 50 IAC 15-5-8. (Department of Local Government Finance; 50 IAC 15-5-5; filed Dec 5, 2000, 2:32 p.m.: 24 IR 948; filed Dec 13, 2002, 3:20 p.m.: 26 IR 1520)