Homeowners have until Thursday to file for a homestead exemption, which may help lower their annual tax bills.
Homestead exemptions are due April 1, but that is a Sunday and the previous Friday is Good Friday, so the actual final filling date this year is Thursday, March 29.
Barbara Gore, Webster County tax assessor/collector, said qualified homeowners may fall into one of three exemption categories, based on age, disability or veteran status. They may be eligible for a substantial tax exemption if they met these requirements on Jan. 1:
• Applicants must be considered head of a family.
• Applicants must own the property and reside on the property on Jan. 1 of the year the application is made.
• Property must be the primary residence of the applicants.
• Applicants, their spouse and any joint owners must be bona fide residents of the state.
• Applicants must be in compliance with Mississippi income tax requirements.
• All vehicles owned by or in the possession of the applicants must have Mississippi license plates from the county in which they apply.
Applicants can file for a homestead exemption on only one residence in the state.
Gore said residents usually file for this exemption once.
“They must reapply if they purchase a new home, change the use of the property, a spouse dies, they turn 65 or become 100 percent disabled, they experience a change in marital status or they experience a change in where they live, called a change in home occupancy,” she said.
Property taxes play a vital role in Mississippi communities by funding education, fire protection, law enforcement, recreation and infrastructure.
Homeowners who are unsure if they need to sign a homestead application or reapply may call 258-6446 or 258-6468, or visit the tax assessor’s office in the Webster County Office Building at 16 E. Fox Ave. in Eupora.
