June 27, 2019 CONTACT: Ralph T. Meacham, CPA (330) 740-2010
Auditor Notifying Taxpayers of Flood Damage Relief - Damaged or Destroyed Property Values May be Adjusted
Mahoning County -Auditor Ralph Meacham is informing taxpayers that they can apply to have their property value reduced if it was damaged or destroyed by recent flooding.
To receive a reduction in your value as a result of flood damage, you must fill out an Application For Valuation Deduction for Destroyed or Damaged Real Property.
An application for a deduction from the current year's value must be filed by December 31 for property that is destroyed or damaged in the first nine months of the year. For property damaged · in the last three months of the year, the filing deadline is January 31 of the following year. Any deduction from value approved will affect the tax bills due the following year. The amount of the deduction equals a percentage of the reduction in value caused by the damage or destruction. That percentage is determined by the calendar quarter in which the damage occurred.
Anyone who has sustained structural damage may file an application. Structural damage would be collapsed basement walls, caved in roof, damage to a finished basement, or a completely destroyed structure. Any damage to personal property does not apply. Personal property includes televisions, stereo equipment, appliances, furniture, carpeting, etc.
Auditor Meacham reminds taxpayers that their current tax bill in 2019 will not reflect any damage done to their property this year. The current bill is based on the value of your property as it existed on January 1, 2018. Any reduction in value will be reflected for tax year 2019 which is reflected on calendar year 2020's first half tax bill.
Additionally, if repairs are made to the property in the same calendar year, there may not be a reduction in value.
The form is available on the Mahoning County Auditor's page of the Mahoning County Communicator website or by calling the Auditor's Office at 330-740-20 10 to request a form by mail. The state requires that these forms be notarized so please have the form notarized before bringing it or mailing it to the Auditor's Office.