Pay Attention to the Pink Slip

Not all pink slips bear bad news. The pink “Homestead Verification Form” that will be enclosed with your property tax bill is very important and can save you and your clients thousands!

A bill in the legislature has required that these forms be mailed out with the property tax bills in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and they must be completed and returned by every homeowner who wishes to claim a homestead deduction on their property. Property owners have until January 1, 2013 to return the card.
Why? These cards and the legislation requiring them are aimed at cracking down and preventing homestead fraud.

This form has not been widely publicized and can easily be overlooked as bureaucratic paperwork so please pay extra attention when opening your property tax bills and inform your clients to do the same.

I didn’t find the form in my property tax bill?
Though some counties may choose to, they are only required to include the form to taxpayers already claiming the homestead deduction.

I didn’t know it was important and I threw it out, can I get a new copy?
Yes, you can download the form here.

If I don’t fill it out by January 1, 2013, will I automatically lose my deduction?
If you don’t complete the form by the deadline, you will receive a final notification letter from the county and your deduction could be removed on your 2012 – pay – 2013 property tax bill.

The form I was sent has a different – much sooner – deadline, what does that deadline mean?
Counties are permitted to establish internal deadlines to help streamline the processing of the forms. Missing the county’s internal deadline will not result in losing your homestead deduction; however it is best to advise your clients to return the forms to the County Auditor right away.