County Property Appraiser's Office Personnel In Gulfport February 23 to Help Senior Homeowners Apply For Special Tax Exemption

If you are a property owner in Gulfport, 65 years of age or older as of January 1, 2011, and have a household income of $26,203 or less, you may be eligible to receive an additional $25,000 homestead exception for 2011 that could mean a substantial savings on your taxes.

Although you should already be aware of this additional significant property tax savings, if this is the first time you’ve heard about it, that’s okay. 

On Wednesday, February 23, at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center, 5501 27th Avenue S., representatives from the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to help senior homeowners apply for this special additional $25,000 exemption.

According to Lisa Hamilton, director of community relations for the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office, “It doesn’t take very long to apply.  We expect to process each application in about 10 or 15 minutes.”

She pointed out the key to a smooth process in applying for the exemption is for seniors to bring in the right documents when they come to the Gulfport Senior Center.  What county Property Appraiser’s Office personnel will want to see would include: 

• Proof of age, by showing your driver’s license, Voter ID card or birth certificate.

• If you are required to field an annual Federal Income Tax Return, then you need to bring your 1040 or 1040 Form for 2010.

• If you are not required to file a Federal Income Tax Return, then you should bring bank statements, pension summaries and any other income documents for 2010 to validate the total income of those living in your household.

Keep in mind to qualify you must eligible for or already receiving a Homestead Exemption. Furthermore, you are asked to bring only documents that verify your 2010 income based on last year’s earnings. That’s because this is the only income information that will be accepted.

Please note that unlike your state Homestead Exemption that kicks-in automatically each year, to receive this added exemption because of your limited income, you must re-apply on an annual basis. The application deadline this year is March 1.

Applications will be processed at the senior center on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, please contact the Pinellas County Property Appraiser’s Office at (727) 464-3294.