TUSCO Tax Assessor Reminds Public Of Property Tax Exemptions For Those Who Qualify

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa County Tax Assessor Leigh Ann Fair is reminding members of the public that they may qualify for additional homestead exemptions if they meet certain criteria.

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Fair told Patch that every year — between Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 — individuals over 65 that qualify under a certain income amount can sign up to be completely exempt on their property tax in the home that they own and claim homestead on.

"The big problem is folks just don't know about this," she said, lamenting the low participation in a program geared toward helping those in need. "We just want to get this information out to the public."

Fair explains that the exemptions have been on the law books since 2013 and will remain in effect for the 2023 tax year.

Fair then provided a breakdown of requirements individuals must meet in order to receive this benefit from the State of Alabama:

• Qualifying individuals must be listed as an owner of the single-family dwelling.
• Qualifying individuals must be 100% permanently disabled and provide required documentation or be age 65 or older on or by Oct. 1, 2022 for the 2023 tax year.
• Federal taxable income (complete exemption) or State adjusted gross income (partial exemption) for qualifying individual and spouse, even if you file separately or spouse is not listed as an owner, must be $12,000 or less. This requirement must be met for individuals seeking the exemption based on age. At this time, there is no income limitation for individuals that qualify for the exemption based on disability.
• First time 65 or older applicants must bring in all applicable, if more than one, 2021 Federal and State tax return(s) between Oct. 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2022 to see if they qualify for the 2023 tax year. First time 100% permanently disabled individuals can bring in their proof of disability at any time but may only sign up for certain exemptions between Oct. 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2022.

Proof of disability may include:

• Affidavits from physicians licensed to practice in Alabama provided that at least one of these physicians is actively providing treatment directly related to the permanent and total disability
• A current TPQY or BPQY form from the Social Security Office that shows the date the disability began or an eligibility date or the original disability awards letter from Social Security. A letter of 100% total disability from the Veterans Affairs Office. (Not based on evaluation %)
• Documents showing that the qualifying taxpayer is drawing a disability pension or annuity from the armed services, a private company, or any governmental agency. These homestead exemptions must be signed for and verified each year to remain exempt.

Those wishing to learn more about this offering are asked to contact the Tuscaloosa County Tax Assessor's Office Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call (205) 464-8240.

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