Help is available for those applying for tax exemptions for widows, widowers and disabled persons

FLORENCE-If you’ve lost a spouse or become disabled within the past year, you might qualify for a tax exemption.

Members of the County Assessor’s Office staff will be visiting district dupervisor offices to take applications for widow/widower’s and disabled persons exemption from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at Chairman David Snider’s Office; 820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Building A, in Casa Grande.

To qualify for a widows and widowers tax exemption:

· Must be a permanent resident of Arizona.

· Must have resided with their spouse in Arizona at the time of the spouse’s death: or if their spouse died while a resident of another state, then the surviving spouse must prove Residency in Arizona prior to January 1, 1969.

· Must present death certificate of the deceased spouse to the assessor.

· Must not have property value (within the State of Arizona) that exceeds a net assessed value of $22,371. Your net assessed value can be found on your tax notice or Notice of Valuation card.

· Income from all sources (excluding Social Security) cannot exceed $27,371.

· Must file an application each year between first Monday in January and through the last day of February.

· Must be able to state that either item A or B is true:

A: None of my children under 18 years of age resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse and any children aged 18 or more who resided with me, did not exceed $27,371during the previous calendar year.

B: At least one of my children who was under 18 years of age or who was totally and permanently disabled, resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse, and any other of my children, resided with me, did not exceed $32,921 during the previous calendar year.

Requirements for disabled persons exemption:

· Must be a permanent resident of Arizona.

· Must be over the age of 17.

· Must be medically certified as 100 percent totally and permanently disabled by your doctor (The Assessors Office will supply the necessary medical forms).

· Must not have property value (within the State of Arizona) that exceeds a net assessed value of $22,371. Your net assessed value can be found on your tax notice or Notice of Valuation card.

· Must file an application each year between first Monday in January and through the last day of February.

· Must be able to state that either item A or B is true:

A: None of my children under 18 years of age resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse and any children aged 18 or more who resided with me, did not exceed $27,434 during the previous calendar year.

B: At least one of my children who was under 18 years of age OR who was totally and permanently disabled, resided with me during the previous calendar year. The total income from all sources including myself, my spouse, and any other of my children, resided with me, did not exceed $32,921 during the previous calendar year.

Documents required with applications:

· Copy of death certificate (certified or original)

· 2007 Arizona State Income Tax Return

· Copy of the prior year’s tax bill or valuation card of all properties in Arizona.

· License plate numbers for all motor vehicles.

· Title/tax bill