Oktibbeha County residents wishing to file for homestead exemption must do so by April 1.
Homeowners with questions about filing may visit the Oktibbeha County Tax Assessor’s Office or call the Homestead Exemption Office at (662) 323-8131. The Oktibbeha County Courthouse-based office is located at 101 East Main St. in Starkville.
Applications are accepted by the Oktibbeha County Tax Assessor’s Office from Jan. 1 to April 1 each year. Taxpayers must own their home and use it as their primary residence on or before Jan. 1 of the current year to be eligible for the exemption. Warranty deeds must also be signed and dated Dec. 31, 2012 and be on file at the Oktibbeha County Chancery Clerk’s office by Jan. 7 of this year.
Homeowners who are 100 percent disabled or over 65 are exempt up to $7,500 of the assessed value of their home but are assessed for anything over that amount. The value of the property will determine whether there will be any taxes due.
Reasons a homeowner may need to file or re-file for homestead exemption include: You built or purchased a home; you bought or sold property that affected your current homestead property; your marital status changed; your spouse died in 2012; you turned 65 on or before Jan. 1; you became 100 percent disabled on or before Jan. 1.
Homeowners should have a copy of their warranty deed, the purchase price (a copy of closing or settlement statements), the amount of down payment, social security numbers and tag numbers for all vehicles registered in your and your spouse’s name when filing. For over-65 exemptions, a valid state driver’s license or birth certificate is required.
For those 100 percent disabled, you must bring a copy of the TPQY Form from the Social Security Administration Office. If you are 100 percent disabled but not drawing Social Security, you must bring statements from two doctors.
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