DEADLINE NEAR FOR LOWER SCHOOL TAXES
Homeowners have until March 1 to apply

Homeowners who want to qualify for reduced school taxes have until March 1 to apply for the "homestead exemption" established under Act 1.

The state legislature passed Act 1, also known as the Homestead/Farmstead Relief Act, to enable school district real estate tax reductions on owner-occupied homes. In short, if you own the property in which you live, you are likely eligible for the tax reduction.

"Many property owners in Potter County applied and were qualified in 2005," said Joe Lewis, chief assessor in Potter County. "These properties are still qualified, provided the applicant still owns the property. However, many eligible property owners still have not applied."

Applications were recently mailed to property owners who previously were denied or have not responded. These applications must be received by the Potter County Assessment Office no later than March 1 to qualify the property owner for the homestead exemption for the current tax year.

In Cameron County, applications were sent out last year and the response was good.

Chief Assessor Rick Bauer told Endeavor News that 1,384 property owners have returned applications.

"We didn't send applications to camp (owners) or businesses," Bauer said. "So that's a pretty good (response)."

Bauer noted that despite the good response, some people are frustrated that they haven't seen a change in their taxes.

"Property owners have nothing to lose; they can only gain," Bauer said. "But, they haven't seen a penny yet and that's frustrating."

But that could change this year.

"The state has indicated that funding will likely be available for the 2008 school taxes," Lewis explained. "We encourage any property owners who are unsure of their status to contact our office at (814) 274-0488."

If necessary, Lewis said, property owners can fill out a blank application at the Assessment Office, located in the basement of the courthouse. Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.