Veteran Homestead Exemption applications begin in January

Photo: Gov. Tate Reeves signed HB 1378 in June. From left, Horn Lake Mayor Allen Latimer, state Sen. Michael McLendon, veteran K.T. Robbins, Gov. Reeves, state Rep. Kimberly Remak, Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams, and DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton. (Courtesy photo)

Among legislation passed in the 2024 Mississippi Legislature and signed by Gov. Tate Reeves was a bill titled House Bill 1378, authored by state Rep. Kimberly Remak (R-Olive Branch). 

The measure provides that any veteran homeowner, who is an honorably discharged American veteran and has reached 90 years of age on or before January 1 of the year for which Homestead Exemption is claimed, shall be exempt from all Ad Valorem taxes on the assessed value of the homestead property.

While the bill was passed in the 2024 session and its effective date was set as July 1, 2024, County Tax Assessor Jeff Fitch reminded veterans who will benefit from the bill that they cannot start making applications for the benefit until January.  

Some confusion had taken place since the effective date for the bill was July 1, but Fitch said the requirements for a homestead exemption require applications to not be accepted until next month.  

Applications can be accepted starting Jan. 2 for the homestead exemption period continuing through April 1. Applicants will need to visit the Tax Assessor’s office at the County Administration Building in Hernando and provide the following information:

• DD-214
• Proof of age (Driver’s License or State issued Identification, passport, or birth certificate)
• Social Security numbers for you (and your spouse, if married)
• Your Mississippi license plate number

Veterans who have a service-connected total and permanent disability and who were honorably discharged from military service shall also be exempt from all Ad Valorem taxes on the assessed value of homestead property. In addition, this exemption extends to un-remarried surviving spouses of such Veterans.

Applications for that exemption will be accepted at the Tax Assessor’s office, starting Jan. 2 through April 1. Applicants must bring:

• VA benefits letter stating that you are considered permanently disabled and honorably discharged
• Social Security numbers for you (and your spouse, if married)
• Your Mississippi license plate number

Remak pushed for HB 1378 passage after encouragement from retired Olive Branch veteran K.T. Robbins, 102 years of age, who spoke with Remak and Mayor Ken Adams about the measure. Remak became the principal author of the bill.

Robbins appeared in Jackson for the bill signing ceremony, when Gov. Reeves signed the bill. 

For more information, contact the Tax Assessor’s office at 662-469-8029.