NEWS RELEASE
Officials urge homeowners to complete form:
DeKalb County Treasurer and Auditor
Apr 9, 2010
For Immediate Release Friday April 9, 2010
Officials urge homeowners to complete form:
Pink form helps taxpayers save green
Auburn (April 9, 2010) – When taxpayers in DeKalb County receive their property tax bills in the mail in the coming days, they will want to pay close attention to the pink piece of paper that accompanies the bill.
The cherry colored form is the “homestead verification form,” and it must be completed if homeowners want to continue receiving the benefit of the homestead deduction – the most commonly used property tax deduction in Indiana.
Completing the form confirms that the individual is using the property as his or her permanent home, an eligibility requirement of the deduction.
Individuals or married couples claiming the homestead deduction must provide the last five digits of their driver’s license and social security numbers. This information will be placed in a secure database that will enable all county auditors in Indiana to cross-check names, identifying those who may be claiming a homestead deduction in more than one county.
The homestead deduction gives a qualifying individual or couple a substantial property tax benefit by lowering their property tax obligation. When individuals who do not qualify receive this benefit, it costs other taxpayers more.
The homestead deduction allows homeowners who use a property as a primary residence to qualify for a reduction of up to 60 percent of the initial gross assessed value, plus up to an additional 35 percent of the remaining assessed value. Finally, it is through the homestead deduction that county assessors and auditors identify which taxpayers receive the benefit of the one percent property tax cap.
Specific questions about property tax deduction eligibility or the homestead verification form should be directed to the County Auditor. The Auditor’s office hours are Monday thru Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and their phone number is 260-925-2362. Additional information is available on the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance’s Web site at http://www.in.gov/dlgf/8455.htm.
Tax bills were mailed on Friday April 9, 2010 according to County Treasurer Holly Albright. Spring tax bills will have a due date of May 10, 2010.
Contact: Holly Albright - DeKalb County Treasurer at 260-925-2712 or e-mail treasurer@co.dekalb.in.us
John Fetters – DeKalb County Auditor at 260-925-2362
|
