Have you applied for Homestead Exemption? You could be eligible for tax relief.

In 1972, the General Assembly passed the Homestead Tax Exemption program, which is for homeowners who are age 65 or older, and/or totally disabled, and/or totally blind. The program exempts up to $50,000 of the value of your home, including up to five contiguous acres of property, which is a major tax savings. The homeowner must have been a legal resident of South Carolina for at least one year, on or before Dec 31, 2008, and have been approved for the 4 percent primary residence assessment ratio.

According to County Auditor Marvin Bishop, in 2008, Cherokee County had 5,377 Homestead applicants that received Homestead Exemption with Cherokee County to be reimbursed approximately $1.1 million in taxes.

To receive the exemption, the homeowner must file an application in person with the Cherokee County Auditor’s office, located in the courthouse. If you are unable to go to the Auditor’s Office, you may authorize someone else to make application for you.