Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Refunds May Be Available

Changes in state law will allow people age 62 or older to qualify for homestead property tax refunds at a higher income level, Nevada County Tax Assessor Pam Box has announced.

The new law, passed by the 1999 Arkansas General Assembly, applies to all Arkansas homeowners who qualify, she said.

"In the past, only people who earned $16,000.00 or less in the entire family were eligible for the refund," Box said. "The new legislation provides for the same refund for families whose earnings are $25,000 or less.

"This will help many of our citizens 62 or older who need assistance," Box said.

The assistance ranges from $100 to $300 a year, depending on their income.

Box said the requirement for qualifying is to be age 62 on or before October 1, 1999; household income for 1999 of $25,000 or less, owned a residence and lived in Arkansas during 1998 and 1999.

In the past, there have been many who qualified, but who did not take advantage of the homestead property tax refunds, the assessor said.

"We are here to provide the forms," Box said. "All our citizens have to do is either come by the office or give us a call at 887-3410 and we will be happy to assist them."

The last date to apply for the refund is August 15.