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General Information
Welcome
to the Assistant Tax Assessor web site. It is our responsibility to collect
data for the Bessemer Cut-Off District and maintain all exemptions and real
and personal tax records for this division as per the Code of Alabama. Alabama
Law requires that all changes including ownership, improvements, address
change and the use of a property, be reported to our office. Alabama Law also
grants homestead exemptions for owners that live on the property and
exemptions for those homeowners who live on the property who are over 65 or
permanently and totally disabled. These exemptions must be claimed in our
office and the disability and over 65 exemptions must be renewed annually.
Business owners must assess their business personal property (equipment,
furniture, aircraft, etc.) each year. We also maintain the GIS (Geographical
Information Systems) maps for the area.
Real
Property
-- Alabama Law requires that all changes in property be reported to the Tax
Assessor. This includes ownership, address, additions or improvement to the
property or removal of improvements. Also, any change in the use of the
property should be reported. These changes are made by filing an assessment,
at no charge, with your Tax Assessor. After purchasing or obtaining title to
any real estate you should immediately take your deed to the appropriate Assessor's
Office.
Personal
Property
-- All business owners must assess every year their business personal
property. Personal property in a business is briefly described as all
equipment, furniture and fixtures used in the operation of the business,
including, but not limited to aircraft, leased equipment, add-on equipment to
vehicles, such as tanks, lifts, etc. If you own a business, you must see the
Tax Assessor, Personal Property Division, or see that your accountant files a
Personal Property return for you.
Homestead
Exemption
-- All owner-occupied, single family dwellings are eligible for a homestead
exemption. Typically homestead exemption will result in a savings of $53.00
depending on the market value and location of the home. In addition to
homestead exemption, the property should be classified as Class III and taxed
at a 10% assessment rate. This change alone may reduce your taxes by half, if
the current assessment rate is Class II and 20%. This exemption should be
requested when you file your assessment.
Senior Citizen and Disability Exemptions --
Owners of single-family, owner occupied residences who are 65 years of age or
older, or who are disabled, may qualify for exemption. A total exemption
is based on income as verified by the most current state and/or federal
income tax returns. To claim the exemption, you must provide:
·
Current
Tax Notice (if available)
·
Copy
of your state and federal income tax returns (We must have the actual
returns, not just the W-2 forms. If you have lost your copy of your income
tax return, you can obtain a duplicate by calling this toll free number,
1-800-829-3676. If you did not file a return for the previous tax year, no
income proof is required.)
·
For
senior citizen (over 65) exemption, we must have proof of age (birth certificate
of driver's license). To qualify under the disability exemption, we must have
two letters from doctors. We can accept one letter signed by two doctors, or
a certificate of disability from Social Security and one letter from a
doctor. These documents must state that the individual is totally and
permanently disabled.
·
Individuals
who have been awarded permanent and total disability from the armed services,
any governmental agency or a private company and that entity provides a
pension or annuity stating the reason as a permanent and total disability,
may be eligible for property tax exemptions. Proper documentation must be
provided in order for the exemption to be effective for the next year’s tax
bill.
·
Exemptions
can be claimed throughout the year. However, you must be over 65 or disabled
as of October 1st of the same year that you make application. Taxes are paid
in arrears so the exemption will be effective on the next years' tax bill and
does not apply to the tax bill currently due.
The
person claiming the exemption must come into our office to sign the
assessment, or must have given power of attorney to the individual making the
assessment.
Current
Use (Farm or Timber land) -- If your property consists of five or more acres
and you farm the property for crops, timber of livestock, etc., you may be
eligible for a reduction in value and tax. There are restrictions in some
situations. Contact our office for details.
Other
Services
-- The Tax Assessor's Office can furnish tax maps, tax estimates and
information to locate deeds to your property if they are filed. We can also
furnish tax ownership and address information.
View Electronic Courthouse
Service
Access Tax Map Viewer
Birmingham Tax Assessor
Address
Jefferson
County Tax Assessor's Office - Bessemer Division
Room 209 Courthouse
Bessemer, AL 35020
Maps & Directions
Bessemer
Courthouse
Phone Numbers
Bessemer - (205) 481-4125
Fax - (205) 481-4128
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