(Washington, DC) The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) announced today that it will begin mailing more than 8,000 Homestead benefit and senior citizen tax relief reconfirmation letters to property owners whose inclusion in these programs is under review.
Property owners receiving a reconfirmation notice will be required to complete a form and provide OTR with documentation that substantiates their eligibility for these tax benefits. If the property owner fails to prove that his or her home is their principal residence and that they are domiciled in the District of Columbia, the tax benefits associated with the property may be removed. The property owner will also be liable for back taxes, interest and penalty for the periods that the property was not eligible for the benefits.
For more information about the Homestead Deduction and/or senior citizen tax relief programs, property owners should visit the Real Property Service Center or call OTR’s Customer Service Center at (202) 727-4TAX (4829). If a property owner believes he or she is eligible for this tax relief, they should either complete the reconfirmation letter and supply copies of the requested documents, or visit the Customer Service Center on the 1st floor of 941 North Capitol Street, NE, and bring along documentation to substantiate their eligibility.
A second mailing of reconfirmation letters for 2006, to an additional 9,000 properties, is scheduled for early July.