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General Information
The
Jefferson County Tax Assessor's Office - Bessemer Division is responsible for
the collection of data to create and maintain all ad valorem real and
personal property tax records for the Bessemer Cut-Off. The Bessemer Cut-Off
is a separate political subdivision of Jefferson County created by
legislative act in 1915.
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. 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.
·
Exemptions
can only be claimed between October 1st and December 31st of each year. (You
must be over 65 or disabled on October 1st of the same year that you make
application. The exemption does not apply to the tax bill currently due. The
exemption will be effective on the next years' tax bill.)
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.
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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