(Washington, DC) The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) announced today additional progress on its 2006-2007 audit of the homestead and senior citizen real property tax benefit program. As a result of the audit, OTR will remove these tax benefits from more than 1,600 property owners in the District who did not respond to two requests for reconfirmation of their eligibility for this benefit. These property owners will receive letters from OTR notifying them of the benefit removal.

Property owners found to be ineligible for the homestead benefit will be billed for back taxes, including interest and penalties, for the periods that the property was not eligible for the benefit. These charges will be reflected on the property owners’ 2007 first-half tax year bills, and will include the actual taxes due once the exemption and the tax cap are removed.

Property owners who disagree with a determination of ineligibility should submit a Homestead and Senior Citizen Tax Benefit Appeal Application to the Office of Tax and Revenue, Real Property Tax Administration, Homestead Audit Unit, PO Box 96182, Washington, DC 20090. This form is available on the Real Property Tax Forms page.

OTR periodically mails homestead and senior citizen tax benefit reconfirmation letters in an effort to ensure accurate real property tax billings in the District. These notices require property owners to confirm their eligibility for real property tax relief.

For more information about the Homestead Deduction and/or senior citizen tax relief programs, visit the Real Property Service Center or call OTR’s Customer Service Center at (202) 727-4TAX (4829).