The deadline for returning homestead verification forms is Jan. 1, the Kosciusko County Auditor’s Office reminds residents.
For the past three years the homestead verification form has been included with the tax statement. If the verification form is not received in the Kosciusko County Auditor’s Office before Jan. 1, the homestead deductions will be removed.
A list of the properties that have not returned the homestead verification form is available on the county website at www.kcgov.com
If you have any questions or do not agree with the removal of your homestead deduction, you may file an appeal with the county’s property tax assessment board of appeals by calling the auditor’s office at 574-372-2316.
Individuals and married couples are limited to one homestead standard deduction. As the receipt of this deduction becomes more beneficial, there is more incentive than ever for homestead fraud, according to the auditor’s office.
Homestead fraud causes higher tax bills for all, therefore, HEA 1344-2009 requires taxpayers who receive the homestead standard deduction to verify that they are eligible to receive the benefit and to provide additional identifying information necessary to allow county government to better monitor homestead filings.
This information will be kept confidential and can only be accessed by authorized county officials. The Department of Local Government Finance will use this information to create tools that will help county officials eliminate homestead fraud.
