Monroe County will accept homestead tax deduction verification filings through Friday, Jan. 4.
Monday had been announced as the last day to do so, but the county auditor’s office will be closed that day, which is New Year’s Eve. With that closure, coupled with the closing Wednesday because of the blizzard, officials decided to be flexible and allow folks a few extra days to get the paperwork done.
“We’ll work with the taxpayers,” Auditor-elect Steve Saulter said Thursday. “We’re here to help.”
Property owners who do not file a Homestead Verification Form with the county auditor by Jan. 4 will lose a substantial credit on their property bill.
At the Monroe County Council meeting Thursday night, council member Marty Hawk raised some concerns about the move, pointing to state code IC 6-1.1-37-10, which reads that “if any due date falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, a national legal holiday recognized by the federal government
, or a statewide holiday, the act that must be performed by that date is timely if performed by the next succeeding day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or one (1) of those holidays.”
, or a statewide holiday, the act that must be performed by that date is timely if performed by the next succeeding day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or one (1) of those holidays.”
If New Year’s Eve qualifies as a statewide holiday, following that code could shift the deadline from Monday to Wednesday, but not to Jan. 4.
But according to county council President Geoff McKim, while state statute does not allow a county auditor to extend deadlines, it does give auditors some enforcement flexibility for those who miss deadlines.
for those who miss deadlines.
The verification forms were mailed to property owners with their tax bills, but because those bills are sent to mortgage companies, some property owners might not have received them.
Any property owner in Indiana can claim a homestead credit for their primary place of residence. Vacation and rental homes do not qualify for the homestead credit.
A property owner can visit paymonroe.com to tell whether he or she has received the homestead credit on previous tax bills. However, the site does not indicate whether a homestead verification form has been filed. That can only be verified through the auditor’s office.
Residents with questions may call 349-2510. Due to a high volume of calls, residents may be asked to leave a message.
People may also request their status by emailing Saulter at ssaulter@co.monroe.in.us.
Additional information on homestead credits is available on the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance’s website atwww.in.gov/dlgf/8455.htm.
Finance’s website atwww.in.gov/dlgf/8455.htm.