Newton County Tax Assessor May Bender is reminding homeowners the deadline to file for homestead exemption is April 1.

    Homeowners who miss the deadline cannot be reimbursed by the county, Bender said.

    “Some homeowners who are on disability and the ones who have turned 65 are not filing,” she said. “They missed the deadline and want to be reimbursed, but the county can’t reimburse them. Once those taxes are paid that money has already been remitted to the county and schools, so there is nothing we can do.”

    Bender said one notable change in homestead exemption rules went into effect last year.

    “Senate Bill 1165 added a category of exempted status for those who are totally disabled and are service connected to extend it to their surviving spouses,” she said. “So if your spouse was a veteran who was disabled and has died, the un-remarried spouse of that veteran can keep their homestead exemption. That is big news, because it saves them money.”

    Homeowners in Newton County who meet the four criteria for exemption are eligible to receive up to a $300 credit on their property taxes each year.     Homeowners who are disabled or over 65 receive an exemption on the first $7.500 of the assessed value of their home. Assessed value is 10 percent of the true value of a home.

    To qualify for homestead exemption, a homeowner must be a legal resident of Mississippi, must own and occupy their property as of Jan. 1 of the year filed, and must comply with Mississippi income tax requirements.

    Homeowners who have applied for homestead exemption in the past, may not need to file again. It may be necessary to re-apply if:

    – You have purchased a new home.

    – Death of a spouse.

    – If you turned (65) or became 100 percent disabled in the past year (with proof)

    – A new deed was put on record (changing title or deed, life estate, trust, etc.).

    – You have had a change in marital status.

    – You acquired, sold, or gave away property relating to your homestead.

    –There has been a change in the use of the property (such as putting a business in the home or renting part of the home).

    – Homestead exemption was denied the previous year.

    – There has been a change in occupancy of your homestead.

    To apply for homestead exemption, go to the tax assessor’s office in the Newton County Courthouse at 92 West Broad St. in Decatur. Office hours are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

    Applicants should bring the following information to the tax assessor’s office: tag numbers of all vehicles owned, Social Security number(s) of homeowner and spouse, purchase price of the property, amount of down payment, and the previous owner’s name. Applicants who are over 65 or 100 percent disabled need to bring proof (Social Security letter, birth certificate, or driver’s license with date of birth).

    For more information, call the tax assessor’s office at 601-635-2517.