E-mail update from Indiana State Representatives, sent April 16th.
First from Indiana Representative Phylis Pond (R-85):
New Form Coming With Your Property Tax Bill
(STATEHOUSE) Rep. Phyllis Pond (R-New Haven) wants to inform constituents that this year you may receive an extra sheet of paper with your property tax bill. Do not be alarmed, it is just a result from legislation that was enacted in 2009 through House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1344.
Starting in 2010, HEA 1344 requires the tax statement to include a form that allows taxpayers to verify their residency and eligibility for one homestead deduction.
The homestead deduction was enacted to protect the principle residence of a family from high property taxes. It is meant to be applied to only one residence per family. In the past, some people have applied for one property’s homestead deduction under the husband’s name and another under the wife’s name. HEA 1344 was created to clear up this issue. The new legislation will make it unlawful for a family to have more than one homestead deduction.
It is important that you fill out this form, because it allows you to continue receiving your homestead standard deduction. If you do not fill this form out you potentially could lose your homestead deduction beginning in 2013.
This form is not required to be returned in person, you simply just mail it back to the provided address including the last five digits of your social security number and your driver’s license number. This information will only be used to track the homestead database and to prevent deception. By providing this information it will ensure that everyone is sharing in the property tax burden and by doing so, it will help reduce taxes for all.
If you have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate contacting me at: 317-232-9753 or by going to the Department of Local Government Finance’s website: https://www.in.gov/dlgf/8455.htm
And from Indiana Representative Matt Bell (R-83):
New Tax Form Should Save Taxpayers Money
This year you may receive an extra sheet of paper with your property tax bill. Do not be alarmed, it is the result of legislation that was enacted in 2009 through House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1344. Starting in 2010, HEA 1344 requires the tax statement to include a form that allows taxpayers to verify their residency and eligibility for the homestead deduction. It is expected that this form will serve as an extra protection to prevent and reduce homestead fraud.
It is important that you fill out this form, because it allows you to continue receiving your standard homestead deduction. If you do not fill this form out you could potentially lose your homestead deduction beginning in 2013. This form is not required to be returned in person. You simply mail it back to the address provided and include the last five digits of your social security number and your driver’s license number. This information will only be used to track the homestead database and to prevent fraud. By providing this information it will ensure that everyone is sharing in the property tax burden and by doing so, it will help reduce taxes for all.
“This is just another assurance for property owners,” Rep. Matt Bell (R-Avilla) said. “It is important for everyone to fill these forms out and return them by the April 30 deadline.”
If you have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate contacting me at: 317-232-9753 or by going to the Department of Local Government Finance’s website: https://www.in.gov/dlgf/8455.htm