Key filing deadlines set April 1

Roughly two weeks remain for Franklin County residents who have yet to file their Homestead Exemption paperwork for 2022.

“The filing deadline is Friday, April 1, and we encourage people not to wait until the last minute to try to complete the process,” Franklin County Tax Assessor-Collector Talina King Matthews said.

She noted required paperwork necessary to file for Homestead Exemption includes:

• A copy of the recorded warranty deed for the house and land in question.

• Social Security numbers for husband and wife — and both individuals must be legal residents of Mississippi.

• Disclose the full purchase price of the house and land in which Homestead Exemption is being sought (required by Mississippi Code 27-33-31).

• Automobile tag information for all vehicles in the possession of the property owner(s).

• Driver license or other proof of age — if filing for the over age 65 exemption.

• A Medicare card or letter from Social Security Administration stating the individual filing was found to be disabled — for those seeking the disability exemption.

• A letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs for those who are a 100 percent service-connected disabled veteran.

“For those who have previously filed for Homestead Exemption in Franklin County, you will not need to re-file unless something has occurred to impact your status,” King Matthews said.

Among the actions prompting a need to refile include:

• The purchase of a new home.

• Any changes altering the way property is titled such as adding a life estate or putting the property into a trust.

• The sale of any part of property covered by a previous Homestead Exemption filing or purchasing any additional land within five air miles of a home covered by a previous filing.

• Any change in life status —including the death of a spouse or a divorce.

• If the use of the property covered by Homestead Exemption has changed — for example, the house is now used as rental property.

• The homeowner turned age 65 before Jan. 1, 2021 — meaning the individual was born in 1956 or earlier. Remember to bring proof of age.

• If the homeowner or spouse was declared 100 percent disabled through Social Security or 100 percent service-connected disabled through military involvement. Proof of disability is required.

King Matthews reminds citizens Homestead Exemption is not granted automatically, therefore the application process is necessary for each property owner’s request to be considered in light of requirements established by state law.

Additionally, anyone who owes Mississippi income taxes in arrears or who has Homestead Exemption in any other county or state will not be eligible for the program.

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King Matthews also reminds businesses that personal property renditions for the year are due by Friday, April 1.

This includes items such as furniture, fixtures, machinery, equipment and inventory located within the business.

A penalty of 10 percent of the assessed value will be charged to business property owners who do not return a rendition by April 1, as mandated by state law.

The appraisal of business personal property in Mississippi is based on replacement cost new less depreciation.

For details on any of these tax filing requirements, contact King Matthews’ office in the courthouse at 601-384-2359.