If you own property in Logan County and live on it, hopefully you have applied for Homestead Exemption in order to receive a reduction in your taxes. If not, here's some information to explain the process and how to apply for Homestead and other exemptions which may save you money.
Homestead Exemption exempts $1,000 from the assessed value of your property. If your property is valued at $100,000, the assessed value of your home is $11,000, since the county-wide assessment ratio is 11%. Homestead Exemption lowers this assessed value to $10,000. Depending on the school district in which you live, the exemption can save you $83 to $113 on your tax bill.
Qualifying
To qualify for Homestead Exemption, you must own and occupy your property as of January 1. If you apply after March 15, the exemption goes into effect the following year. It's important to note that though a person may own multiple properties, Homestead Exemption can apply only to the one where you live.
Completing the Application
Though the deadline to file for Homestead Exemption is March 15, we are happy to help you complete the application at any time. The simplest way to do this is by calling the assessor's office at 405-282-3509. We will fill out the form for you and then mail or email it to you to sign and return. You can also come by the office at 312 E Harrison to pick up an application. You do not have to reapply for this exemption annually. It is effective for as long as you own and live on your property.
Double Homestead Exemption
An additional exemption available is Double Homestead. This exemption is income-based. To qualify, you must have regular Homestead Exemption and be head of household with a gross household income of $30,000 or less. You apply for this exemption each year, between January 1 and March 15, unless you previously qualified at age 65 and your income remains at $30,000 or less. Bring proof of the previous year's income to the assessor's office and we will be glad to complete the paperwork for you.
Property Valuation Limitation Exemption
The Property Valuation Limitation is another exemption helpful for seniors. This is commonly called "the freeze." To qualify for this, you need to be age 65 or older with a gross household income of $86,000 or less. The amount is determined annually by HUD. You can call our office each January to obtain the updated amount.
The exemption freezes the assessed taxable value of your homestead property the year you complete the application. The taxable value remains the same until ownership changes or new improvements are added. However, it does not freeze millage rates, which can affect the amount of tax you pay. When you apply for this exemption, you need to provide proof of age and total household income from the prior year. As long as your income stays below the HUD level, the freeze remains.
More Information
For more information about these and other ad valorem tax exemptions that may save you money, call the assessor's office at 405-282-3509. You can also read about ad valorem exemptions on the Oklahoma Tax Commission's website.
