Who wouldn’t want to have as much as $300 taken off property taxes each year?
Although it sounds crazy that anyone would give up a chance to have property taxes lowered, many people don’t understand how to make that happen. The answer is quite simple: homestead exemption. Homestead exemption is available to all homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements and is only eligible for the residence in which the owner resides.
“Getting homestead exemption is a privilege, not a right,” explained Hope Herrington. “It has to be applied for, and the application can be denied by the Mississippi Department of Revenue or the board of supervisors.”
The process of filing for homestead exemption is actually very easy. People are able to go to the homestead office located in the courthouse to fill out the application for homestead exemption from January 2 until April 1 each year. The forms must be filled out and signed in the homestead exemption office, and the homestead office is willing to work with those who have disabilities.
“If someone is disabled, they will just need to call the office and let us know that they plan on filing and when they will be coming,” said Herrington. “We will have the paperwork filled out and carry it out to the vehicle for them to sign.”
The rates that are granted for homestead depends on the property value that is assessed. It is important for citizens to notify the homestead office of any changes that occur to properties that could affect the property value so that they will maintain accurate records between appraisal years. The tax assessor collector must re-appraise properties to determine property values every four years. This is our reappraisal year so all properties will be revalued. Property owners should contact our office in June of this year to check the value of their property.
Once a person has filed for homestead, that person doesn’t have to file again unless there is a change such as but not limited to turning 65, becoming disabled, if your spouse passes away or you change the title to the property (file a life estate deed), or if you marry or divorce. It is extremely important to make sure that all information provided on the application is current, or it could cost later on.
“If you receive homestead that you did not qualify for, you can be reassessed and billed for the credit received,” warned Herrington. “That is called a chargeback.”
If you owe the State of Mississippi Income Tax, you may not qualify for homestead exemption, or if you divorced and your ex files homestead in another county and you failed to come in and re-file your homestead, you could be assessed with a chargeback.
Another example is if a person is given temporary disability in December, that person is able to apply for disability homestead in January and may receive disability credit. Once that first year is over, say that person is removed from disability, but they don’t re-file for homestead the following January and instead continue to receive the disability credit for three more years. It is discovered that the person has received the disability homestead credit and wasn’t eligible for three years, so the person is then charged for all of the homestead credit they weren’t eligible for. That could add up to a mighty hefty sum.
Homestead exemption is actually a great thing that is designed to help homeowners. Anyone who is unsure if they need to file for homestead should view the following guidelines and make sure to meet the criteria for homestead exemption.
