Bryan County homeowners looking to ease their tax burden in 2011 and the years ahead have just more than two weeks to file the necessary paperwork that will enable them to give a little less to the tax man when he comes around.

While homeowners can file year round for the homestead exemption, which gives exemptions to some state, county and school taxes, the deadline to qualify for the 2011 tax year is April 1.

Applicants can file for the homestead exemption at either of the county’s two Tax Commissioner offices at 11 N. College St. in Pembroke or at the County Administrative Complex on Capt. Matthew Freeman Drive south of Richmond Hill.

For an applicant to qualify for the exemption, he or she must own and occupy the home as of Jan. 1, 2011.  The home must also be the applicant’s permanent residence and place of abode and must be the legal residence of the applicant for all purposes. Because of the residency requirement, the exemption cannot be applied to a second home.

Once granted, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year. The taxpayer does not have to apply again unless there is a change of ownership or the taxpayer seeks to qualify for a different kind of exemption.

For more, pick up a copy of the March 16 edition of the News.