Homestead exemption is a method of shielding part of your property from taxation. In most states, the homestead exemption allows homeowners to only be taxed on the value of their home up to 75 percent. The homestead exemption is available to homeowners and their primary residences. If a homeowner owns two properties, he is only eligible to take the homestead exemption on the primary residence.
Obtain a homestead exemption application from your local tax office or online through your state’s Department of Revenue.
Fill out the homestead exemption application form. Each state’s application is different, but all require the same basic information, which includes your personal information, property information and the signature of the homeowner or homeowners if the home is in two names.
File the form with your local tax office. It can be mailed or delivered. All homestead exemptions must be filed on or before Apr. 1 to be effective.
References
- Maine.gov: Application for Homestead Exemption
- Window.state.tx.us: Application for Residence Homestead Exemption
- Congressional Research Service. "Homestead Exemptions in Bankruptcy After the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA)," Summary Page. Accessed April 17, 2020.
- Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. "Property Tax Homestead Exemptions." Accessed April 17, 2020.
- Connecticut General Assembly, OLR Research Report. "State Homestead Exemption and Credit Programs." Accessed April 17, 2020.
- Congressional Research Service. "Homestead Exemptions in Bankruptcy After the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA)," Pages 4-46. Accessed April 17, 2020.
- Congressional Research Service. "Homestead Exemptions in Bankruptcy After the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA)," Pages 9 and 41. Accessed April 17, 2020.
- U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Law Revision Counsel. "11 USC 522: Exemptions." Accessed Feb. 2, 2020.
- Federal Register. "Revision of Certain Dollar Amounts in the Bankruptcy Code Prescribed Under Section 104(a) of the Code." Accessed Feb. 2, 2020.
- Congressional Research Service. "Homestead Exemptions in Bankruptcy After the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA)," Pages 31 and 36. Accessed April 17, 2020.
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