April 10, 2002 – V.I. homeowners have until April 30 to apply for homestead exemptions on their property taxes beginning with 2001, according to a release from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
To qualify, owners must have moved into their homes by Jan. 15, 2002.
Tax Assessor Roy Martin said his office expects to have the 2001 property tax bills out by the end of May. Payment will be due June 30, but he said homeowners have a 60-day grace period before penalties begin to apply.
There are three types of exemptions:
– the $250 general homestead exemption, available to all homeowners who list the property as their primary residence.
– a $312.50 veteran's exemption, available to anyone who has received an honorable discharge from any branch of the U.S. armed forces. Veterans must provide a copy of their DD- 14 honorable discharge documents.
– a $375 elderly exemption, available to people over 60 years of age whose annual income does not exceed $10,500 excluding Social Security. Applicants must provide proof of age and verification of income and complete an Elderly Exemption Application.
Homeowners can claim only one of the exemptions. Those who have already been granted exemptions need not reapply unless they have sold their previous residence and bought a new one.
Application forms are available at all Tax Assessor's Office locations:
St. Thomas — Builders Emporium Building, second floor, behind Roy L. Schneider Hospital.
St. Croix — 1131 King Street in Christiansted and the Lagoon Street Complex in Frederiksted.
St. John — the Administrator's Office in The Battery in Cruz Bay.
For more information, call 776-8505 on St. Thomas, 773-6459 in Christiansted, 772-3115 in Frederiksted or 776-6737 on St. John.
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