Our View: Renditions hit local businesses but can be avoided

Published 10:23 am Friday, March 6, 2026

It’s homestead time again in Lauderdale County. Homeowners who’ve bought property, sold property, turned 65, been declared a 100% disabled veteran or had other deed changes to their land can head to the Lauderdale County Tax Assessor’s office to apply for homestead exemption. It’s a fairly simple process that can significantly reduce the cost of property taxes residents owe.

If you own property and haven’t gone, go. If you aren’t sure if you qualify, give them a call.

While much of the focus this time of year is on homestead exemptions, and rightfully so, it is also time for businesses to turn in their renditions. Under state law, businesses are required to file personal property renditions with the Tax Assessor by April 1. The renditions report assets such as furniture, inventory and equipment, and is used to help determine how much tax the business owes.

In Lauderdale County, the Tax Assessor’s office mails out a form to each of the county’s roughly 3,000 businesses letting owners know about the April 1 deadline. Properly filing renditions can, in the case of no inventory changes from the previous year, be as simple as signing and dating the form and putting it back in the mail.

While homestead exemptions let residents pay less, failure to file business renditions on time can be a costly move. Missing the deadline comes with a 10% penalty, not on the tax bill, but on the assessed value used to calculate the tax bill. Depending on what assets a business owns, that can add up quickly.

Every year, dozens of Lauderdale County businesses fail to file renditions by April 1 and have to pay the 10% penalty. It’s expensive and a hit many business owners, especially our small business owners, can ill afford.

Filing renditions is not hard. It’s not laborious and does not require a degree in accounting. The form is fairly straightforward, and any questions or concerns can be quickly addressed with a call or visit to the Tax Assessor.

If you own a business or know a business owner, please make sure you file your personal property renditions by April 1. Your hard-earned dollars make a bigger impact and are more appreciated here in our local community rather than floating around the Department of Revenue offices in Jackson.

Pay less taxes; keep your money local; file renditions.