Residents needing to file or update their homestead exemptionstatus for 2007 should act now, said Lincoln County TaaAssessor-Collector Nancy Jordan.

“I would like to remind everyone who has had a change in theirhomestead exemption to please file by Friday, March 30, 2007,”Jordan said. “Any change in homestead status requires you to comein so you do not lose the exemption when the change isdiscovered.”

Homestead exemption allows homeowners to claim a discount ontheir property taxes.

Jordan said there several reasons why residents would need torefile. Those reasons include a person turning 65 years of age orbeing declared 100 percent disabled in 2006, the construction of anew home, a physical move, the sale or purchase of exemptedproperty, a marital status change, or filing a deed in the pastyear on the exempted property.

The entire filing process takes approximately five minutes withthe proper information, Jordan said, and there is no charge to fileor make changes to an existing exemption.

To ensure a quick visit, she said, residents should bring withthem a copy of the deed, proof of age and their vehicle tagnumbers. Proof of disability is also required, if necessary.

The same March 30 deadline applies to businesses to fill out,sign and return personal property renditions, Jordan said. Thepersonal property rendition assesses businesses’ private propertyfor tax purposes.

Notices have already been mailed to all businesses, she said.However, if a business has not received a rendition they may call(601) 835-3443 and one will be mailed to them.

If not returned, the Mississippi State Tax Commission requires a10 percent penalty, Jordan said. That penalty is compoundedannually for each year the rendition is not returned.

In addition, all county and city property taxes are due by Feb.1.

Following a change made two years ago, both county and cityproperty taxes are paid to the county tax collector’s office. Theoffices were combined in 2005 in a joint city and county effort toprovide convenience for the taxpayer and to save tax dollars by notfunding two offices.

Further convenience for taxpayers was provided last year withthe addition of a service that allows residents to pay all of theirtaxes with a debit or credit card, Jordan said.