More than 4,000 Indian River County residents have completed new applications for Florida’s Exemption benefits.

As of the March 1 deadline, the Property Appraisers office received:

4098 applications for Homestead, widows and other exemptions
1295 applications for Florida’s Save Our Homes portability credit
1770 Senior benefit requests have been processed or are pending.

“What we are really pleased about is the growing use of our safe and easy online application process,” said Indian River County Property Appraiser, Wesley Davis. “We are now approaching half of our applicants using our new online option.”

Davis was Appointed Property Appraiser after the death of long time appraiser David Nolte in January of 2019 and was elected without opposition in 2020.

The capability to apply for Homestead Exemptions, Agricultural Classification as well as filing Tangible Personal Property returns has been added by Wesley Davis to the Property Appraisers website at IRCPA.ORG.

“When I took office one of my goals was to bring more accessible customer service, convenience, and efficiency through the use of technology,” said Davis. “Little did we know that these improvements would be even more important with the arrival of COVID in our lives.”

“I am so grateful that we were able to add this technology in time to meet this unique crisis.” said Davis. “It not only saved money but may have saved lives by giving taxpayers a way to file for the benefits they deserve from the safety of their homes.”

The deadline for filing Homestead applications was March 1 st. However, Florida law gives Property Appraisers the ability to extend the March 1 st deadline and allow late filing based on extenuating circumstances.

“As Property Appraiser I have the right to extend the filing deadline for applicants based on extenuating circumstances. If the largest most dangerous health crisis in history is not an extenuating circumstance, I don’t know what is.” Davis said.

“I have added a request for late filing to the Homestead form online. Taxpayers may go to the website at IRCPA.ORG. On the first page click on Homestead, fill out the form and at the end Just write COVID in the box. I intend to approve any COVID-related delayed application request.” Davis said.

More than 40,000 Homeowners in Indian River County have current Homestead exemption benefits.

“If you already have homestead and there has been no change in ownership or residency then you do not have to file again. I want each and every resident to receive each and every exemption they are qualified to receive. Online or in person we are here to help” Davis concluded.

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