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ZEBULON - Tax Commissioner Donna Chapman and Tax Appraiser Greg Hobbs spoke to commissioners in Tuesday night's meeting to ask for an extension to allow those who are already qualified for L4 school exemption and were over 70 years of age by January 1, 2023 to get the L7 exemption as long as they apply for it by July 24, 2023 which is the deadline for the appeals. Commissioners approved this in a unanimous vote.

The question was how to get the information out to the public in a way that would ensure as many citizens who were 70 years of age prior to January 1, 2023 AND who were already receiving the L4 school exemption could receive this additional exemption that could save them as much as an additional $300 on their property taxes.

Tax Commissioner Donna Chapman sent out a letter to the newspapers to try to help explain the situation and make the public aware of the need to let their elderly friends and family members know to go by the Tax Assessor's Office in Zebulon and apply by July 24, 2023. The letter is included below.

Letter for Tax Commissioner Donna Chapman

Dear Pike County Homeowners:

If you are a Pike County Homeowner that is 70 years old or older and had the L4 (school) exemption in 2022, but did not apply for the new exemption that was passed last year by April 1st, I would like to encourage you to stop by the assessor's office and apply for the new exemption.

The Pike County Board of Commissioners extended the time to apply for the L7 exemption to the appeal deadline of July 24, 2023. Keep in mind, this is only for those that had the L4 (school) exemption in 2022 and were 70 prior to January 1, 2023.

Those that applied after April 1st and were told that they would get the L7 exemption in 2024 will be getting this exemption for 2023.

My hope is to get the word out so that the sons and daughters, or grandchildren, or caring neighbors of these 70+ year old homeowners will let them know to go to the assessor's office to apply by July 24, 2023. Or hopefully someone can actually take them to the assessor's office.

Many do not take the paper nor get on social media, so your help is needed in getting the word out to those that qualify. Depending on what the final mill rate will be, getting the L7 exemption instead of just the L4 exemption could possibly save as much as an additional $300.

The assessor's office address is 73 Jackson Street, Zebulon. It is located in the Courthouse Annex which is the building beside the Sheriff’s office.

While this is not my office, I just want to help my 70+ citizens get this exemption if possible.

Sincerely,

Donna Chapman
Pike County Tax Commissioner

Closing

If you, a friend, or a loved one received the L4 school tax exemption in 2022 AND were 70 years of age prior to January 1, 2023, you are entitled to an additional exemption called L7 that could save additional money on your 2023 property taxes.

Please go by the Tax Assessor's Office at 73 Jackson Street in Zebulon beside the Sheriff's Office and apply before the July 24, 2023 deadline.

If you have any questions on this exemption, please call the Tax Assessor's Office at 770-567-2002.

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