Feb. 4, 2002 – Resident homeowners have until April 30 to apply for any of the three types of exemptions available on 2001 property taxes, according to a release from the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
According to Tax Assessor Roy Martin, of the 57,177 property tax bills sent out for 2000, a total of 17,837 included exemptions. Of these, 12,855 were homestead exemptions, 2,627 were veterans' exemptions and 2,355 were elderly exemptions.
People who occupy their homes full time as of Jan. 15 this year may apply for a 2001 homestead exemption of up to $250.
Any veteran with an honorable discharge from the U.S. armed services is eligible for a veteran's exemption of up to $312.50. Veterans must provide a copy of their DD-214 honorable discharge documents.
Residents over age 60 with an annual income, excluding Social Security, of less than $10,500 are eligible for an elderly exemption of up to $375. Applicants must provide proof of age and verification of income and also must complete the Elderly Exemption Application.
A homeowner may apply for only one of the exemptions even if qualifying for more than one. People who currently receive exemptions need not reapply unless they have sold their home in the last year and moved into another, in which case they must apply for a new exemption for their new residence.
Martin gave these breakdowns for the various islands for the 2000 tax bills:
St. Thomas — a total of 24,909 tax bills; 5,568 with homestead exemptions, 1,334 with veterans' exemptions and 563 with elderly exemptions.
For St. Croix — in the Christiansted area, a total of 18,039 tax bills; 4,312 with homestead exemptions, 881 with veterans' exemptions and 993 with elderly exemptions. In the Frederiksted area, a total of 9,595 tax bills; 2,459 with homestead exemptions, 293 with veterans' exemptions and 728 with elderly exemptions.
For St. John — a total of 4,385 tax bills; 504 with homestead exemptions, 107 with veterans' exemptions and 71 with elderly exemptions.
For Water Island — a total of 249 tax bills; 12 with homestead exemptions and 12 with veterans' exemptions.
Residents may apply for the various exemptions at these locations of the Tax Assessor's Office:
St. Thomas (also for Water Island) – Lieutenant Governor's Office, second floor of the Builders Emporium building in Sugar Estate behind Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
St. Croix – 1131 King Street in Christiansted; at the Lagoon Street Complex in Frederiksted.
St. John — the Administrator's Office at the Battery.
For more information, call the Tax Assessor's Office at 776-8505 on St. Thomas, 773-6459 in Christiansted, 772-3115 in Frederiksted, or 776-6737 on St. John.
