NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

County Application for Homestead Exemption

[28 Pa.B. 4955]

   In accordance with section 8587 of the act of May 5, 1998 (P. L. 301, No. 50) (act), the Department of Community and Economic Development gives notice of the development of the County Application for Homestead Exemption for use by assessors under section 8584(A) of the act (relating to administration and procedure). The application and instructions for completion of the application follow as Annex A. The form will remain in effect until changed by a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

   Further information can be obtained from the Department of Community and Economic Development, Room 439, Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 720-1361.

SAMUEL A. MCCULLOUGH,   
Secretary

Annex A

_________________  County Application for
Homestead Exemption

Applications must be filed with the County Assessors Office by March 1st.
Please read instructions before completing application. All information will be kept confidential.

1.  Parcel Number ( and/or Map Number if different) ___________________________

2.  Property Address _____________________________________

3.  Municipality _________________ School District _________________

4.  Applicant Owner(s) _____________________________________

5.  Mailing Address of Applicant (if different than property address)      _______________________________________________

6.  Phone Number of Applicant:      Daytime _________________        Evening _________________

7.	Do you use this property as your primary residence? ____ Yes      ____ No
8.	Do you claim anywhere else as your primary residence? ____ Yes      ____ No
9.	Is your residence part of a cooperative or a condominium where property taxes are paid jointly? ____ Yes      ____ No
	If yes, do you pay a portion of the taxes? ____ Yes      ____ No
10.	Is your property used for other purposes besides your primary residence, such as a business or rental property? ____ Yes      ____ No
	If yes, what portion of the property is used for your primary residence? ____ %
	Do you wish to seek a farmstead exclusion for the buildings or structures on this property? ____ Yes      ____ No
	If yes, is any, portion of the farm or buildings abated from property tax under another law or program? ____ Yes      ____ No
_______________________________________________
Please read before signing: Any person who knowingly files an application which is false to any material matter shall be subject to payment taxes due, plus interest, plus penalty and shall be subject to prosecution as a misdemeanor of the third degree and fine of up to $2,500
I hereby certify that all the above information is true and correct
_________________                           _________________                                                    Signature                                                                     Date

OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Date Filed _________________                  [  ]   Accepted         [  ]   Rejected
Reviewed by _________________
Date Reviewed _________________
Applicable Years _________________	Homestead Value _________________
	Farmstead Value _________________
	Assessment Information:
	Land _________________
	Improvements ______
	TOTAL ______

INSTRUCTIONS

APPLICATION FOR HOMESTEAD &
FARMSTEAD EXCLUSIONS

Act 50 of 1998 permits counties, school districts and municipalities to make use of a homestead property tax exclusion as long as property tax millage rates are not increased to compensate for revenue lost from a homestead exclusion. Under a homestead property tax exclusion, the assessed value of each home is reduced by the same amount before the property tax is computed. Act 50 permits individuals to apply for a Homestead Exclusion, even though a Homestead Exclusion may not have been adopted by a local taxing body in which you reside.
1.	Fill in the parcel number and the map number (if two different numbers) of the property for which you are seeking a homestead exclusion. You can find the parcel number and map number on your real property tax bill. If you do not have a real property tax bill, call your local tax collector or county assessment office (555-555-5555).
2.	Fill in the address of the property for which you are seeking a homestead exclusion.
3.	Fill in your municipality and school district. If you are not sure what your municipality or school district are, contact your local tax collector or county assessment office (555-555-5555).
4.	Fill in your name and the name of other owners of record, such as your spouse or a co-owner of the property. You must be recorded owners to apply for the exclusion.
5.	If your mailing address differs from the address of the property for which you are seeking a homestead exemption, fill in your mailing address.
6.	Please list phone number where you can be reached during the day, and an the evening phone, if you are unavailable during the day.
7.	Is this property your primary residence?
	The Homestead Exclusion can only be claimed once on as a place of primary residence or domicile. ''Domicile'' is the fixed place of abode where the owner intends to reside permanently, not temporarily. ''Domicile'' is the place where a person makes their home, until something happens that the person adopts another home. You may be asked to provide proof that this property is your residence, such as your driver's license, your voter registration care, your personal income tax form or your local earned income tax form.
8.	Do you have another residence which you claim as your primary residence? For instance, do you claim another state as your primary residence, or another county in Pennsylvania?
9.	If you live in a unit of a cooperative or a condominium and you pay taxes jointly through a management agent or association, rather than paying your taxes separately from other units, check yes. If so, please provide the percentage of overall tax you pay. You may be asked to provide a contact to confirm this information.
10.	Check yes if the property for which you are seeking a homestead exclusion is used for other purposes, such as a business or rental property. If so, please indicate what portion of the property is used as your private residence.
Check yes if you believe your property qualifies for the farmstead exclusion. If yes, please indicate what portion of the property is exempted, excluded or abated from real property taxation under any other law (e.g., Clean and Green or Act 515). You may be asked to provide proof that buildings and structures are used for commercial agricultural activity, such as the net income or loss schedule from your state or federal income tax forms.
Only buildings and structures on farms which are at least ten contiguous acres in area and used as the primary residence (domicile) of the owner are eligible for a farmstead exemption. The buildings and structures must be used for commercial agricultural production to store farm products produced on the farm, to house animals maintained on the farm, or to store agricultural supplies or machinery and equipment used on the farm.
Change in Use
When the use of a property approved as homestead or farmstead property changes so that the property no longer qualifies for the homestead or farmstead exclusion, property owners must notify the assessor within 45 days of the change in use. If the use of your property changes and you are not sure if it still qualifies for the homestead or farmstead exemption, you should contact the assessor.
False or Fraudulent Applications
The assessor may select, randomly or otherwise, applications to review for false or fraudulent information. Any person who files an application which contains false information, or who does not notify the assessor of a change in use which no longer qualifies as homestead or farmstead property, will be required to:
*	Pay the taxes which would have been due but for the false application, plus interest.
*	Pay a penalty equal 10% of the unpaid taxes.
*	If convicted of filing a false application, be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $2,500.
By signing and dating this form, the applicant is affirming or swearing that all information contained in the form is true and correct.
Applications must be filed before March 1 of each year. Please return to:
_________________
_________________
_________________
For Questions on the Homestead Exclusion, please contact your local tax collector or the  ______  County Assessment office at xxx-xxx-xxxx, office hours x:00 to x:00, Mon. through Fri. If your application has been denied, you will receive a written notice of the denial by June 30.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1609. Filed for public inspection October 2, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]

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