2004 home buyers have Tuesday deadline to get tax exemption

NOTE TO COMPOSING:

By Times Staff
Published February 28, 2005

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CLEARWATER - Permanent residents who purchased a home during 2004 must apply for a homestead exemption before the Tuesday deadline.

A homestead exemption is a $25,000 exemption from a property's assessed value and saves approximately $500 on property taxes. If the home had a homestead exemption at the time of purchase, the exemption was removed Dec. 31. As a result, it is necessary to apply for a new exemption in person.

Individual owners must come to one of the Pinellas County property appraiser's offices to file.

A married person may file for his or her spouse, provided the spouse's information is provided. To file, residents are required to provide documentation, including:

--Florida driver's license and automobile registration.

--Voter registration.

--Permanent alien registration card and/or proof of naturalization, if applicable.

--The notification card supplied by the Property Appraiser's Office, if available.

--The Social Security numbers of all applicants and their spouses.

When filing for a widow/widower exemption, bring a death certificate or obituary notice. When filing for a disability exemption, bring proper certification of total and permanent disability.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Locations are:

--North County Office, Northside Square, 29269 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater, 464-8780.

--Pinellas County Courthouse, second floor, 315 Court St., Clearwater, 464-3294.

--Starkey Lakes Corporate Center, Unit 3900, 12955 Starkey Road, Largo. 582-3160.

Call the Personal Exemption Division at 464-3294 or check the property appraiser's Web site at http://pao.co.pinellas.fl.us