Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones said today the downtown property appraiser’s office will be open Saturday’s from 9 a.m. until noon through the March 1st deadline, for citizens wishing to file homestead tax exemption for 2012. The downtown office is on the third floor of the Escambia County Courthouse, located at 221 Palafox Place.
“We want to provide as much convenience as possible for citizens who want to file for exemptions,†he said.
Jones said if a home was purchased before Jan. 1, 2012 and it is a primary residence, homestead exemption should be filed by March 1, 2012.
Citizens can also file exemptions at the main office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or at the property appraiser’s office in Molino in the Farm Bureau Building, #153 Highway 97, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
“It’s something every homeowner should take advantage of,†Jones said. “Homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of a residence by as much as $50,000.â€
Renewal notices for existing Escambia County homestead residents have already been mailed. Owners with new residential property or owners transferring (“portingâ€) their prior homestead benefit should file for the exemption by March 1st.
The documentation required to file homestead exemption is:
-Evidence of home ownership.
-Social Security number of applicant and spouse, if applicable.
-Proof of Florida residency such as a Florida driver’s license, Florida vehicle registration, Florida voter registration and other information that will prove residency.
Anyone 65 or older or who is disabled may qualify for additional exemptions.
For more information, please call the Property Appraiser’s Office at 434-2735 or go online to www.escpa.org.