18 days and counting for Hoosier homeowners.
The change to state law passed three years ago, but thousands of homeowners are waiting until the last minute to file this financially worthwhile paperwork. Time was running out, so Cynthia Payson made the time, and put pen to paper.
"It was on the radar, so I knew it was something I needed to do," said Payson. "It was just a matter of getting the time off to get over here and do it."
Payson was among the thousands of homeowners across the state required to refile for the Homestead Deduction.
If the paperwork is not signed and stamped, homeowners lose their property tax break.
"Definitely want to do this, yes," said Payson. "It is worth it."
Payson was not the only Hoosier homeowner cutting it close. Director of Budget and Legislation for the Marion County Auditor's Offic Drew Carlson said it had been a busy time in the Auditor's office.
"It has been wild," said Carlson. "We have been getting hundreds of calls a day, almost 500 a day. It has been ten calls a minute during our hottest times."
Carlson said callers asked if they had filed, and what would happen if they did not file on time.
"It is a massive, massive deduction," said Carlson. "It could take the assessed value of your house down immensely, it could cut your taxes in half."
The law was written by Representative Cherrish Pryor. It passed in 2009. Pryor said the way things stand now make it tougher to for people to claim a deduction on more than one property, those cheating the system.
"It is not fair for the person who has one property to pay more than someone that might have two or three properties because they are trying to get out of paying their fair share," said Democratic Representative Cherrish Pryor.
Pryor said the law better uses taxpayer money, as she leaves the auditor's office. Cynthia Payson was relieved to get money back.
"I do not know what the exact amount of money is, but I know it is enough to make it worth while," said Payson.
The deduction comes with two main changes:
- this year you'll have to provide a portion of your social security number
- you will also have to give the last 5 digits on your driver's license.
Your paperwork needs to make it to the auditor's office by the end of the year. You can stop by the city-county building, or you can mail the form in, as long as it has the original signature on it.
