Homestead Exemption Rules and Regulations

35.VI.03.01 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter 1

The Tax Commission performs two functions in reference to homestead exemption. The first function is to determine the eligibility of taxpayers who wish to obtain an exemption from ad valorem property taxes. The second function is to reimburse the taxing unit who suffers a tax loss because of its exemption.

EXEMPTIONS
Homestead Exemption is a privilege offered to eligible taxpayers by the State of Mississippi. The exemption is not granted automatically. An application must be filed and each taxpayer must qualify for the exemption. There are two types of exemptions regular and additional.
1. Regular
The regular exemption is given to all eligible taxpayers. The exemption is from all ad valorem taxes assessed to property, limited to the first seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) of assessed value, and limited to three hundred dollars ($300) of actual exempted tax dollars. Any ad valorem taxes imposed on the assessed value of property over the first seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) must be paid. Assessed value is determined by the tax assessor of the county in which property is located. Homestead property is usually classified as Class 1 property with a 10% assessment rate; however, if any income producing activity is located on the property, it may be classified as Class 2 with a 15% assessment rate. Class 1 property is not necessarily homestead property.
2. Additional
Any taxpayer that qualifies for the additional exemption has an even greater exemption offered to them. The requirements for the additional exemption are detailed in Rule 3 - Applicant. The exemption is from all ad valorem taxes assessed to property, limited to the first seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) of assessed value. No dollar limit is placed on the actual exempted tax dollars. Any ad valorem taxes imposed on the assessed value of property over the first seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) must be paid.

REIMBURSEMENT
The Tax Commission reimburses the taxing unit for each eligible and allowed taxpayer. The counties and the separate school districts are reimbursed for the regular exemptions. The municipalities are reimbursed for the additional exemptions.
1. Requirements
In order for a taxing unit to receive reimbursement for any tax loss suffered due to an allowed homestead exemption, a request must be made to the homestead exemption office.

2. When
The reimbursement is made in two payments during the year. The first payment is made March 1 and is approximately one half (1/2) of the total amount to be reimbursed. The second payment is made September 1 and is the remainder of the total amount due. If a school taxing unit is in need of the second payment before the school year begins, a Certificate of Necessity, Form 72-035, is submitted to the Tax Commission and the second payment will be made June 1. Reimbursement may be withheld until a taxing unit submits a proper request.
3. Regular exemptions
For each regular exemption, a total of one hundred dollars ($100) per applicant is reimbursed to the taxing unit. One half or fifty dollars ($50) is reimbursed for county taxes exempted. One-half or fifty dollars ($50) is reimbursed for school taxes exempted. The taxpayer is entitled to a maximum of three hundred dollars ($300) of exemption and a minimum of six dollars ($6) of exemption; however, the reimbursement made to the county will always be one hundred dollars ($100) per applicant. Each reimbursement check is accompanied by a Notice of Distribution, Form 72-036. This form indicates the amount of reimbursement to the county general fund and the school district fund.
4. Additional Exemptions
For additional exemptions, the municipality in whose taxing district the applicant has claimed homestead property is reimbursed for the tax losses suffered. The actual tax loss suffered by the municipality is reimbursed with a limit of two hundred dollars ($200) per applicant. An eligible applicant is given his full exemption from the municipality; however, the reimbursement is limited to two hundred dollars ($200) per applicant. Each reimbursement check is accompanied by a Notice of Distribution, Form 72-037, which indicates the amount of reimbursement.
5. Amount
To determine the amount of reimbursement due a taxing unit, begin with the figure shown on the Certificate of Tax Loss, subtract all charges, and add all credits. The result will be the total amount of reimbursement for the year. A taxing unit is limited in the amount of reimbursement it can receive. The amount of reimbursement cannot be more than one hundred six percent (106%) of the previous year's reimbursement. The reimbursement cannot be less than the amount reimbursed the previous year unless the number of applicants has been reduced. All documents needed to determine the actual amount of reimbursement due are sent to the various taxing units.

35.VI.03.02 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter 2

Occasionally, it becomes necessary to make adjustments to the request for reimbursement of tax loss. These adjustments are of three general classes, affecting the applicant and the taxing unit, affecting only the taxing unit, and affecting only the applicant.

CAUSES TO REJECT REIMBURSEMENT
For the purpose of this article and specifically Section 27-33-41 (c), the phrase "substantial particular" shall include in its meaning the following conditions. These conditions shall be considered, by the Tax Commission, some of the more common causes to reject for reimbursement of tax loss any exemption granted by the Board of Supervisors. Note that the causes to reject for reimbursement are not limited to the conditions listed below. The charge(s) will be stated on the Notice of Adjustment, Form 72-026, which is sent to the taxing unit. Following the charge is the reference to the section of the laws that governs each particular situation.

The following charges are causes to reject reimbursement to the taxing unit and to disallow the applicant’s additional exemption:
1. Applicant is not a bona fide resident of Mississippi. 27-33-19 and 27-33-63 (2)
2. Applicant or applicant's spouse claims to be a resident of another state when assessed with income tax. 27-33-63(2)
3. Applicant is separated, does not have custody of minor children and does not live in the home at the time of separation. 27-33-13 (c) & (d)
4. Jointly owned property by separated husband and wife that is not the home at the time of separation is not eligible. 27-33-19 (c)
5. Applicant is not a natural person. 27-33-13
6. Taxing unit had no tax loss as a result of this application. 27-33-41
7. Applicant is not defined as the head of a family. 27-33-13 and 27-33-19
8. Application is incomplete causing eligibility to be undeterminable. 27-33-31 (n & r) and 27-33-41(c)
9. Application was not filed by April 1st. 27-33-31 (a)
10. Application was not signed by applicant or his spouse and a copy of written authority was not attached to the application. 27-33-31 (o) and 27-33-41 (c)
11. Signature of applicant was not acknowledged by Tax Assessor or his deputy. 27- 33-31 (a) and 27-33-33 (e)
12. Applicant or applicant's spouse was allowed exemption on other property. 27-33- 21 (c)
13. Exemption allowed on property not claimed on application. 27-33-32 (i) and 27- 33-35 (b)
14. Certified copy of resident county application was not attached. 27-33-31 (d) and 27-33-23 (f)
15. Exemption allowed on undivided estate property that is not eligible. 27-33-19
16. Dwelling and/or land not separately assessed on the land roll is not eligible. 27- 33-19 and 27-33-33 (a)
17. Disjoined urban property is not eligible. 27-33-35 and 27-33-21 (h)
18. Property containing more than for (4) disjoined tracts combined is not eligible. 27-33-23 (e) and 27-33-21 (h)
19. Exemption allowed on property and/or dwelling that is not eligible. 27-33-19 and 27-33-21

21. Disjoined tracts located more than five (5) miles from home tract are not eligible. 27-33-23 (e) and 27-33-21 (h)
22. Property is not eligible. Applicant owned other eligible property that must be preferred. 27-33-23 (c) & (d) and 27-33-21 (h)
23. Applicant does not occupy the property as his primary home. 27-33-19 and 27- 33-21

25. Any property and/or dwelling that is occupied under an agreement to buy or under a conditional sale is not eligible. 27-33-21 (d)
26. Property that is rented or is available for rent is not eligible. 27-33-21 (a) & (g)
27. Jointly owned land is not eligible when combined with individually owned land
that has been claimed for exemption. 27-33-21 (e)
28. Individually owned land combined with land that holds a life estate is not eligible. 27-33-21 (e)
29. Property that has more than six (6) rooms available for rent is not eligible. 27-33- 19 (f) and 27-33-21 (a)
30. Property that keeps more that eight (8) boarders is not eligible. 27-33-19 (g) and 27-33-21 (a)
31. Applicant did not hold eligible title to this property on January 1. 27-33-17 (f)
32. The instrument by which applicant claims title to this property was not of record as of January 7. 27-33-17 (f)
33. Property claimed for exemption acquired by purchase where one-fourth (1/4) the price has not been paid and there is no instrument showing payments of normal interest and principal is not eligible. 27-33-21 (f) and 27-33-31 (l)

35. Applicant or applicant's spouse has failed to comply with the income tax laws of Mississippi. 27-33-63 (2). If this income tax liability has been satisfied, proof of payment (Letter of Release) must be presented to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors so that objection may be made to this charge.
36. Property with no residence is not eligible. 27-33-19
37. Property with no land value is not eligible. 27-33-19
38. Trust property not occupied or assessed to beneficiary is not eligible. 27-33-17 (b)
39. Valid application is not on file. 27-33-31 (a)
40. Applicant has made a fraudulent application. 27-33-31 (q) and 27-33-41 (c)
41. Applicant has requested homestead exemption to be removed. 27-33-41
42. Applicant and spouse are not actually and legally living together. 27-33-19 (c)
43. Applicant did not reside in the home as of January 1. 27-33-7

*The following charges are causes to reject reimbursement of tax loss that affect only the taxing unit and not the applicant.
1. *No application was received in Tax Commission office in the manner as required by statute. 27-33-33(q), 27-33-35 (a), and 27-33-41 (c)
2. * There is an error in the supplemental roll count. 27-33-35 (d) and 27-33-41 (c)
3. *There is an error in the amount of reimbursement requested which is limited to $200 per applicant. 27-33-77

The following charge is the cause to disallow the applicant his additional exemption only. This charge does not affect the reimbursement to the county, but does disallow the applicant's additional exemption. This charge does effect the reimbursement to the municipality, if the applicant's property is located within the municipality's taxing district.
**Applicant is not eligible for the additional exemption sought. 27-33-67 (2)

APPLICANT AND THE TAXING UNIT
1. The first class of adjustments affect both the applicant and the taxing unit. These adjustments are necessary because the exemption allowed is ineligible in its entirety. Subsection 101.01, paragraphs 1 through 43, are causes to deny an applicant's homestead exemption after it has been allowed by the county Board of Supervisors. When an applicant's exemption has been denied, it affects the amount of reimbursement due a taxing unit. The exemption no longer exists; therefore, the taxing unit does not suffer any tax loss.
2. Subsection 101.03 is the charge used when an applicant's additional exemption is disallowed. There are times when the qualification of the additional exemption has not been proved is disallowed. The reimbursement made to a county taxing unit is not affected. No additional money is reimbursed for an additional exemption. The reimbursement to a municipal taxing unit would be affected because only additional exemptions are reimbursed to a municipality. In both cases the applicant's exemption would be reduced from the additional exemption status to the regular exemption status.

TAXING UNIT ONLY
The second general class of adjustments are those that affect the taxing unit only. These adjustments do not affect the applicant's exemption, only the amount of reimbursement due a taxing unit. Subsection 101.02, paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 are the causes for this type of adjustment.
1. No application received Subsection 101.02, paragraph 1
This applies to the procedure of sending the applications to the Tax Commission office. According to the statute, an application must be in the Tax Commission office by June 1 or the request for reimbursement is to be denied. If, when examining the supplemental roll, no application can be found for a name that is listed, the request for reimbursement of that missing applicant will be rejected.
2. Error in supplemental roll Subsection 101.02, paragraph 2
This applies to errors made in the count of the number of applicants on the supplemental roll. If, upon examination, an error in the count of applicants on the supplemental roll is found, an adjustment shall be made to correct the amount of reimbursement equal to the difference in the count.
3. Error in Reimbursement request Subsection 101.02, paragraph 3
When a municipality has requested reimbursement for an applicant that exceeds the two hundred dollar ($200) limit per applicant, this charge will be made to the municipality. This adjustment does not affect the applicant's exemption, but will reduce the reimbursement to the municipality. This code applies to municipalities only.

APPLICANT ONLY

The last class of adjustments are those that will affect only the amount of exemption the applicant received. The following conditions are considered causes to allow only a fraction of the exemption claimed. These conditions do not affect the reimbursement of tax loss to the taxing unit, only the amount of exemption granted an applicant. The Tax Commission determines if the applicant is eligible. The county determines how much exemption will be allowed. Details of the following conditions are discussed in Title 35 of the Mississippi Administrative Code, Part VI, Subpart 2, Chapter 6.
1. One apartment rented
A dwelling having no more than two (2) apartments or a duplex when the owner of the dwelling lives in one apartment or side and rents out the other apartment or side. The owner would be eligible for one-half (1/2) the exemption allowed. 27-33-19 (e).
2. Less than six (6) rented rooms
A dwelling which has no more than six (6) rooms to be rented with an apartment counting as three (3) rooms when the owner occupies the dwelling as a home. The owner would be eligible to one-half (1/2) the exemption allowed. 27-33-19 (f).
3. Business activity
In order to receive homestead exemption on a dwelling owned and occupied by the head of a family in which a business activity is conducted, the assessed value associated with the business must be less than one-fifth (1/5) of the total assessed value of the home. If the activity is a full time business, the owner would be eligible for one-half (1/2) the exemption allowed. 27-33-19 (h).
4. Joint Ownership
When eligible property is jointly owned, the applicant, who is one of the owners, is eligible for exemption on his proportional share of the total assessed value of the property. 27-33-19 (b).

35.VI.03.03 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter 3

This rule applies to the requirements the applicant must meet in order to receive the privilege of homestead exemption. If all the following requirements are not met by the applicant, the homestead exemption shall be denied. The date which all facts are determined is January 1 of the year in which homestead is sought. A person requesting homestead exemption must make a written application, must be a natural person, the head of a family, have ownership and eligible property, occupy the dwelling as a home, and be a Mississippi resident. Each of these requirements are discussed in detail.

APPLICATION
Before the exemption can be allowed, the applicant must make a written application between January 1 and April 1 of the year in which the exemption is sought. The applicant alone is responsible for making the application. He is required to furnish all information required by the application. It must be complete, true, and correct. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete the information required within the application. It is entirely his document. It is his sole responsibility. The applicant's responsibility does not end until the entire application (the original, duplicate, triplicate and quadruplicate copies) has been delivered to the Tax Assessor on or before April 1. The quadruplicate copy is to be signed and dated by the Tax Assessor or his deputy, marked "filed" and returned to the applicant. If a change in the homestead or the applicant's status occurred since January 1 of the previous year, a new application must be filed between January 1 and April 1. Further details of the application itself are found in Title 35 of the Mississippi Administrative Code, Part VI, Subpart 2, Chapter 8.

NATURAL PERSON
An applicant for homestead exemption must be a living person. The applicant can not be an estate, a corporation or a partnership.

HEAD OF FAMILY
An applicant must be considered a head of a family as defined by Section 27-33-13. The "head" is the representative of the family. There can be only one head of a family for one homestead. Further details of this definition are found in Rule 4 - Head of Family.

OWNERSHIP
An applicant must have eligible title to property in order to file for the exemption. The homestead exemption law provides that only the taxpayer who is legally liable for the ad valorem taxes can be exempt from them. The owner of the property is the only person who has the legal responsibility of paying the taxes due on the property. The applicant must possess an eligible ownership interest in the property, as set out in Section 27-33-17, in order to file a lawful claim for any sort of tax exemption. Details of the definition of eligible types of ownership are found in Rule 5 - Ownership.

ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
Only a homestead, as described in Section 27-33-19, can be eligible property when filing for homestead exemption. Section 27-33-21 describes property that is expressly ineligible for homestead purposes. Eligible property must include a dwelling which is occupied by the applicant as a home, as well as any outbuildings or improvements connected with that dwelling, and the land upon which the dwelling stands. Details of eligible property are found in Title 35 of the Mississippi Administrative Code, Part VI, Subpart 2, Chapter 6.

MISSISSIPPI RESIDENT
The State of Mississippi does not grant homestead exemption to people who are not residents of this state. The applicant and the applicant's spouse must be residents of Mississippi to be eligible for homestead exemption benefits. The filing of a Mississippi resident income tax return shall be the best proof of residency.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
In order to be eligible for homestead exemption, the applicant must comply with income tax laws and the road and bridge privilege tax laws of the State of Mississippi.
1. Income tax laws
When an individual is determined by the Income Tax Division of the State Tax Commission to be delinquent in income taxes, a letter is issued to disallow their homestead exemption. The Homestead Exemption Division will reject for reimbursement that applicant and issue a charge for failure to comply with the income tax laws. As soon as the applicant has paid the delinquent tax, a letter of release is issued to the applicant. He should present this letter to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, prior to February 1. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is now able to object to the charge. A copy of the release letter must be attached to the objection in order for homestead exemption to be reinstated.
2. Road and bridge privilege tax laws
Each applicant must be in compliance with the road and bridge privilege tax laws in order to receive homestead exemption. The county tax collector is to make the determination of the situs of the motor vehicle. The Road and Bridge Privilege Tax Division has recommended that the definition of the situs is to be: The position or location of the motor vehicle, especially the normal position; the place where the motor vehicle exists or originates; where the motor vehicle is normally maintained; the place where the motor vehicle (as a right) is to be located by law. When an applicant owns or has in his possession a vehicle with an out-of-state or out of county tag and is not in compliance with the road and bridge privilege tax laws, he is not eligible for homestead exemption. If the applicant is in possession of a vehicle that is owned by a business located outside the state, the applicant is in compliance with the road and bridge privilege tax laws and is allowed his homestead exemption.

ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS
Some applicants may qualify for an additional exemption on homestead property. The limits of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) of assessed value and one hundred sixty (160) total acres still apply; however, the amount of exemption is increased to include all ad valorem taxes for that property, not just the amount determined by the table found in Section 27-33-75. These conditions are discussed below.
1. Over 65
If an applicant is over the age of sixty-five (65), he qualifies for the additional exemption. Evidence that shows the date of birth is required to be shown to the Tax Assessor. The date of birth is to be written on the application. If a husband and wife are joint owners and filing on a homestead and either one is over sixty-five (65), the entire application receives a full additional exemption. This is true only for a husband and wife joint ownership.
2. Total disability
For an applicant to qualify for total disability, he must be considered disabled under the definition set out in the Federal Social Security Act, the Railroad Retirement Act, or the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

PENALTIES
1. Any person who swears under oath to the truthfulness of an application which is found to contain a false statement is guilty of perjury.
2. Any person who knowingly makes a false claim for exemption or a false statement on the application or omits a material fact on the application in order to obtain an exemption is guilty of a misdemeanor. Anyone who assists another in preparing a false claim for exemption is also guilty of a misdemeanor. If the person is convicted, the punishment includes a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or six (6) months imprisonment. If an exemption is obtained under a false claim, the person obtaining such an exemption is liable for double the amount of taxes lost.
3. In addition to the above, anyone who submits a fraudulent application in violation of Section 27-33-31, Mississippi Code Annotated, is guilty of a felony.

35.VI.03.04 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter 4

Only the head of the family is eligible for homestead exemption. The definition of "Head of Family" is limited to the persons defined in this rule. Only single family property can be considered as homestead property; therefore, there can be only one head of a family per homestead. There is no age limitation for an applicant to be head of family.

MARRIED PERSONS
Any married person living with their spouse is defined as head of a family. The property may be owned by one or both spouses. Only one application is filed with both names on the application. If an applicant is married, the husband's and the wife's name are required on the application. The homestead exemption application does not affect the ownership of the property on which exemption is sought. An application may be denied as incomplete if the applicant's spouse is not listed. (Rule 2, Code 08).

SEPARATED PERSONS
Any married person who does not live with their spouse, but is not divorced, is defined as being separated.

2. A separated person who occupies a home is eligible for exemption if he or she did not file a joint income tax return, has custody of minor child or occupies the marital home.
3. EXAMPLES:

SINGLE PERSON
Any person who is not married or separated is defined as single. This includes divorced and widowed persons. Two types of single persons may be considered a head of a family.

Occupying
The first type is the single person who occupies the dwelling himself as a home. A minor may also file for homestead if he owns and occupies a home when residing with his parents or legal guardian.
1. Alone
A single person is considered a head of a family if he permanently maintains a home that he occupies alone.
2. Group
A single person is one of a group of two or more single people who:

3. If two or more single individuals, who are related in the third degree, jointly own and occupy the property and wish to file for homestead exemption, one application should be filed indicating one individual as the head of family. The other(s) should be shown as occupying joint owner(s). If one individual is eligible for an additional exemption and the other(s) are not, the amount of exemption is determined by each person's share and their qualifications.
4. If two single individuals, who are not related, jointly own and occupy a home and wish to file for homestead exemption, only one may file as head of family for that homestead property. The other should be listed as an occupying joint owner. The applicant receives one-half (1/2) exemption of the assessed value of the property.
5. EXAMPLES:

103.02

Non-occupying

1. A single person may also qualify as a head of a family, if he permanently maintains a home for the benefit of someone who is dependent upon him for support. The single person may not live in the home because of necessity. This single person can only be the head of a family for one family group and for one exemption.
2. EXAMPLES:

MINOR CHILD
A minor child who owns and occupies a home and resides with a parent or guardian may qualify as head of family.

35.VI.03.05 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter 5

An applicant must have some legal title to the property on which exemption is sought. The tax responsibility is his. Legal title must be present to seek exemption. The definition of eligible title for homestead purposes is limited to the following.

FEE TITLE
This type of title is most common. It is considered inheritable title. It can be obtained by purchase, gift or inheritance. Fee title can be held individually or jointly. Three (3) types of fee title are mentioned in Section 27-33-17 (a).
1. Absolute
This type of title is not restricted. It is held by a single individual. When a person holds absolute title, it is indicated on Question 6 of the application as Fee.
2. Life Estate
This type of ownership has a special condition. A person can deed property to another and retain a life estate interest in that property. As long as the person with the life estate interest is living, that person has rights and privileges to that property. Only the person with the life estate interest is eligible for homestead exemption. It is possible for more than one person to have a life estate interest in property. In this instance, they will be treated as joint owners with each having his proportional share in the exemption.
3. EXAMPLES:

4. Joint Owners
Under this type of title, more than one person shares in the ownership of property. These owners may or may not be related. There is no limit to the number of owners one piece of property can have. If property is jointly owned, any one of the owners who meets all the requirements may file homestead exemption equal to his proportional share; however, only one may file for the homestead property. If these joint owners are related within the third degree, only one application should be filed. These owners would be eligible for full exemption. Homestead exemption law discusses two types of joint owners, through inheritance and through purchase. These differences are detailed in Title 35 of the Mississippi Administrative Code, Part VI, Subpart 2, Chapter 6.

TRUSTS
This type of title has some conditions that must exist to be considered eligible. The property being placed in trust must be clearly described. The beneficiary of the trust must occupy the property as a home and must be assessed with the taxes of that property. If all these conditions are present, the trust is considered eligible title.

LEASES
There are four (4) types of leases of land that are defined by law as constituting sufficient eligible ownership rights to meet homestead exemption requirements.
1. School lands
Persons who have legal leases of school lands that are perpetually renewable or leased for ten (10) years or more are considered to have eligible title.
3. Pearl River Valley Water Supply District lands
Persons who have a legal lease of these lands for twenty (20) years or more with an option for renewal every ten (10) years have eligible title.
3. Fraternal or benevolent lands
Persons who have a lease of fraternal or benevolent lands for a period of ten (10) years or more or for life have eligible title.
4. Mississippi-Yazoo Delta Levee Board lands
Persons who have a lease of these lands for five (5) years or more with an option for renewal every five (5) years.

DATES
There are two dates that must be considered in determining the eligible ownership for homestead exemption purposes.
1. Acknowledgment date
The date that one becomes the owner of property is the date of acknowledgment of the instrument by which one acquires the title. The acknowledgment date must be no later than January 1 of the year in which he files the application. Unless property is owned by that date there is no legal liability for taxes.
2. Recording date
The instrument by which title is held must be filed for record with the Chancery Clerk with the county in which the property is located on or before January 7 of the year for which homestead exemption is sought. The book and page number must be shown on the application.

35.VI.03.06 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter 6

Only certain property is eligible for homestead exemption. In this rule, the requirements for homestead property are discussed.

ASSESSMENT
All property on which exemption is claimed must meet the following requirements concerning the assessment of the property.

Identification
For taxation purposes, all property must be given a value. That value must be assigned to a definite piece of property. The property to which a value has been assigned must be identified. The identification should be a parcel number that is unique within a county. The parcel number on the supplemental roll must be the same parcel number on the application.

Separately assessed
All such identified property on which homestead exemption is claimed must be separately assessed on the land roll. No property may be eligible for exemption unless it contains a value for land and a value for the dwelling. The land and dwelling must be separately assessed on the land roll or no exemption may be allowed. A special provision is made if a dwelling has been destroyed. The property can continue to be eligible for homestead for one (1) year after the date of destruction.

Limits
1. Exemption is limited to the first seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) of assessed value on homestead property. Any assessed value over the first seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) does not have any exemption and the full amount of taxes must be paid on the balance. The assessed value limit includes the land and all buildings and improvements attached to the land. The seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) limit includes all parcels claimed by an applicant. The amount in column 7 or column 11 must not exceed this seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) limit when all parcels are totaled.
2. Another limit has to do with the number of acres that a homestead exemption claim can include. All homestead property has a limit of one hundred sixty (160) acres when all parcels are totaled.

LOCATION
The location of the property has an effect on the determination of eligibility for homestead exemption. There is no limit to the number of joined parcels located inside or outside a municipality. The definition of joined is one or more points of common boundary. A lot in a subdivision is considered a parcel.

102.01

Property inside a Municipality
If all the property claimed for exemption is located inside a municipality, all the property on which homestead exemption is sought must actually join. If the land is platted, a public street or canal that divides the land prevents it from being joined. If the land is not platted, then the street dividing the property is disregarded and the land is considered joined.

Property inside and outside a Municipality
If part of the property claimed for exemption is located inside a municipality and part of the property lies outside the municipality, all the land must join. If any portion of the land is located within a municipality, all the land must join.

Property outside a Municipality
If the property lies outside a municipality, the land does not have to join. A maximum of only four (4) disjoined tracts may be claimed for exemption. (Only three (3) disjoined tracts may be added to the home tract). None of these tracts may be located more than five (5) miles from the home tract, which is the tract of land upon which the applicant's dwelling is located.

Property in adjoining counties
If the applicant owns less than the one hundred sixty (160) acres in the county in which the dwelling is located, he is permitted to add to his homestead exemption claim any eligible property located in an adjoining county. Again the limits of one hundred sixty (160) total acres and five (5) miles from the home tract are placed on the property claimed for homestead exemption. In the case of land in an adjoining county, the applicant must file in both counties. First the applicant should file in the resident county and have two certified copies made of the application and carry them to the adjoining county. These copies should contain the assessed value given the land and dwelling and the total assessed value given the land allowed by the resident county. One copy is sent with the original application of the adjoining county that is sent to the Tax Commission (do not attach) and the other copy attached to the duplicate that is kept on file in the adjoining county.

Order of preference
The location of all property which may be claimed for exemption is determined by the location of the dwelling of the applicant. The order of which property has priority is as follows:
1. All eligible property in the county of the applicant's dwelling is preferred over property in another county.
2. If the applicant's dwelling is located outside of a municipality, eligible rural land is preferred over eligible urban land.
3. Forty (40) acre tracts are preferred over tracts of lesser area.
4. Adjoining land of the same section is preferred over other eligible property.
5. If all the land is not joined, land nearest the dwelling and in the same county is preferred.

JOINT OWNERSHIP
Homestead exemption deals separately with two types of jointly owned property, by inheritance and by all other means. If a person files on any individually owned property, that person can not file on any jointly owned property. There two exceptions to this rule:
1. A surviving spouse who files on individually owned property may add property acquired in an undivided estate. In this case, the jointly owned undivided estate property is eligible.
2. Husband and wife may file on property owned jointly or individually.

By inheritance
This type of jointly owned property is the result of an inheritance, either with or without a will. The property is considered an estate. An estate is treated as undivided for homestead exemption purposes until the property has been distributed with fee title or life estate to the various heirs. If some part of the undivided estate is distributed to an heir or to a purchaser, that part is removed from the undivided estate. If by exchange of deeds, court decrees, or any other process, each of the heirs is given fee title to parts of the estate, such parts will be taken away from the undivided estate. Undivided estate property claimed for homestead exemption can not be combined with any other land, except in the case of a surviving spouse. A surviving spouse can combine individually owned property with undivided estate property. The property limits of one hundred sixty (160) acres and seven thousand five hundred dollars ($ 7,500) of assessed value will remain.
1. One files
The heirs of the undivided estate can elect to file for one homestead exemption on the entire undivided estate. The requirements for homestead exemption eligibility must be met. The estate must be undivided. If that election is made, all heirs must agree and proof of such is to be attached to the application. The proof needed is Form 72-049, Election to File One Homestead. The form is provided by the Tax Commission. When the election to file for one homestead exemption is made, no other claim may be filed on that undivided estate for that year. The election to file for one homestead exemption does not prohibit the heirs from filing separately in later years.
2. More than one files
Any one of the heirs who meets homestead eligibility requirements can file for homestead exemption on their inherited portion. The home occupied by the surviving spouse has preference over the homes of any other heirs. If the surviving spouse filed for homestead exemption, that portion is deducted from the rest of the undivided estate. The other heirs must share equally in the remainder. If more than one heir files for exemption on the undivided estate, the election to file for one homestead exemption later is not prohibited.
3. EXAMPLES:

By Purchase, etc.
This type of joint ownership includes all other means by which ownership is obtained, except inheritance. The term joint owner includes tenants in common and joint tenants for homestead purposes.
1. One dwelling
There are four (4) cases of joint ownership and a single dwelling.

2. More than one dwelling

USE
The anticipated use of all property claimed for homestead exemption is that of a home. Some exceptions to this use are allowed by law and the amount of the exemption allowed to the applicant or the amount of reimbursement made to the taxing unit would not be affected. Other exceptions are permitted by law and the amount of reimbursement made to the taxing unit is not affected; however, the amount of exemption allowed to the applicant would be affected. Some uses expressly deny homestead exemption to that property.

Rented property
Rented property includes rooms within a home being rented and also entire homes being rented. The amount of exemption and reimbursement due is determined by how many rooms are being rented. An apartment is counted as three (3) rooms. Sharecropper or tenant homes are not considered to be rented when only a share of the agricultural crop is given in consideration.
1. allowed

2. allowed in part

3. disallowed

Business activity
Most people transact some business in their home, such as writing a check to pay a household expense or having a garage sale. The law does give some definitions as to business activity that will limit or even deny homestead exemption.
1. allowed
Property occupied by a family group wherein business activity is conducted; however, the assessed value of the property associated with the business activity must be less than one-fifth (1/5) of the total assessed value of the home.
2. allowed in part
If the assessed value of the property associated with the business does not exceed one-fifth of the total assessed value of the home and the property is occupied by a family group that houses a full time business, one-half (1/2) of the eligible exemption may be allowed.
3. disallowed

OCCUPANCY
In order for property to be eligible for homestead exemption, it must actually be occupied by the applicant with only one family group to a dwelling. The exceptions to this general requirement are listed below. With these exceptions, all other requirements needed for homestead exemption must be met for the property to be eligible. If one of the following people has another person live in the home, for whatever reason, the property will become ineligible.

Non-occupying single persons
Applicants who fall under the definition of Section 27-33-13 (e) do not have to occupy the property on which homestead exemption is sought. This is also discussed in Rule 4 - Head of Family

105.02

Ministers and teachers
Only property owned and occupied as a home by a minister or a licensed school teacher, whose occupation keeps them away for long periods of time, is eligible. The statute allows for these two types of jobs. No other individuals whose business calls for them to be away can claim this exemption. No other family group can occupy the home for any reason.

Institutionalized persons
Section 27-33-19 (j) states that property owned by a person who is physically or mentally unable to care for himself and confined to an institution for treatment is eligible. This exemption is available for a period of five (5) years from the date of confinement. If a county requires annual homestead filing, arrangements should be made to have an attorney, agent, or guardian sign for the confined person.

SPECIFICALLY ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
Some property that has certain conditions is considered eligible by statute.

Leased lands
Leased property that is listed in Section 27-33-17 (c), (d) and (f), and that is occupied by a family group is eligible.

Condominiums
Condominiums are considered separate dwellings when separately assessed. Also included in this category are townhouses and duplexes.

Housing authority
Property that is occupied by a family group, but whose title and ownership has been conveyed to a housing authority, is eligible.

Specifically Ineligible Property
Some property is considered ineligible by statute.

Conditional
Property occupied under an agreement to buy or under a conditional contract is not eligible property for homestead exemption.

107.02

One-fourth purchase price
Property on which one-fourth (1/4) of the purchase price has not been paid or where payments for the property do not show a reasonable interest rate and payment schedule is not eligible.

107.03

Separate interests
Mineral rights or timber leases or any such land interest that is separately assessed and that is attached to property on which homestead exemption has been claimed can not be included in the assessed value of the homestead exemption property.

107.04

Other property
Any property owned by an applicant who has received homestead exemption on any other property in this state is not eligible.

Different types of ownership
Individually owned land that has been claimed for homestead exemption purposes is not eligible when combined with jointly owned property except in the case of a surviving spouse or husband and wife. Individually owned property is never eligible when combined with property that has a life estate interest.

35.VI.03.07 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter7

The Recapitulation of Homestead Exemptions, which is referred to as the supplemental roll, is a legal addition to and part of the land roll of a county or a municipality.  It is subject to all laws relating to assessment rolls.  It is the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to make the supplemental roll for the county and the municipalities.

COUNTY SUPPLEMENTAL ROLL

The county supplemental roll is required to be submitted to the Department of Revenue office before reimbursement may be made to a county.

1.        The supplemental roll is to be made from the approved applications and not from the land roll.  The Department of Revenue provides the specifications that are to be used to prepare the supplemental roll.  The supplemental roll shall be forwarded to the Department of Revenue, the Tax Collector, and one copy attached to the land roll.  If your county has two judicial districts, a fourth copy will be made for the second district.  This roll must be certified by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in order for it to be considered complete and official.

2.        The supplemental roll shall be made as soon as possible after the land roll is made and approved by the Board of Supervisors and the Department of Revenue.  All applications should have been allowed or disallowed by the Board of Supervisors.  Before reimbursement can be made, the supplemental roll, the Certificate of Tax Loss, and all applications must be submitted to the Department of Revenue.  In order to receive the reimbursement on time, the supplemental roll must be received by the Department of Revenue no later than December 31 of the current year. Any certificates requesting reimbursement, which are received later than June 1 of the following year, shall not be considered.

3.        The information in the supplemental roll is the basis from which homestead exemptions are granted. When completing the supplemental roll, all information must be identical to the information listed on the application. Additional instructions and requirements can be found in the attached Part VI, Appendix 1, titled County Supplemental Roll.  The Department of Revenue requires all data fields identified in Part VI, Appendix 1 to be completely and accurately provided.  All data will be verified prior to acceptance by the Department of Revenue.

4.        While an applicant’s Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Exempt Status must be submitted on the County Supplemental Roll data provided to the Department, these numbers, as well as, the ID Type data and any birth date data must be redacted from all documents of public record retained by the counties.

MUNICIPAL SUPPLEMENTAL ROLL

In addition to the county supplemental roll, the municipal supplemental roll must be received by the Department of Revenue before reimbursement may be made to a municipality.  The same rules apply to the municipal roll as to the supplemental roll.  Additional instructions and requirements can be found in the attached Part VI, Appendix 2, titled Municipal Supplemental Roll.  The Department of Revenue requires all data fields identified in Part VI, Appendix 2 to be completely and accurately provided.  All data will be verified prior to acceptance by the Department of Revenue.  It is the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to prepare the municipal roll using the information provided by the Municipal Clerk.

1.        The municipal roll is made in the same manner as the supplemental roll.  One copy should be delivered to the Department of Revenue, the municipal Tax Collector and the third copy should be placed with the land roll in the Clerk's office.  The municipal roll is made from the approved applicants who are over 65 years of age, or who are 100% disabled and whose exemptions cause a municipality a tax loss.

2.        The municipal roll is made at the same time as the supplemental roll; however, the municipal roll must be made after the Resolution of the Board sets the tax levy for the municipality.  The Municipal Clerk should give the county Clerk of the Board of Supervisors a certified copy of that tax levy in order for him to prepare the municipal roll.

3.        While an applicant’s Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Exempt Status must be submitted on the Municipal Supplemental Roll data provided to the Department, these numbers, as well as, the ID Type data and any birth date data must be redacted from all documents of public record retained by the counties.

AMENDED SUPPLEMENTAL ROLL

In some instances it becomes necessary to amend the supplemental roll.  This is the duty of the Tax Collector as set out in Miss Code Ann Section 27-33-51(a).  A change to the supplemental roll cannot be made without proper documentation to substantiate the change, either a valid application, or an order from the Board of Supervisors is sufficient.  Such documentation should be retained at the county level.  Amendments to the supplemental roll must be effected through a process approved by the Department of Revenue.

1.        The due date for submission of a supplement to the supplemental roll is the last Monday in August of the year following the year in which the homestead exemption application was made.  This is the last date that the Board of Supervisors can approve a change to the supplemental roll.  The Department of Revenue must receive this supplement no later than September 15 of the year following the year in which the supplemental roll is made.

2.        These rules apply to amending the municipal roll as well.

4.         If the roll or adjustments does not meet the above listed conditions, it will not be accepted.

35.VI.03.08 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter8

This is the most important homestead exemption document. This document contains the information that determines the eligibility of the applicant, the property, and the amount of eligible exemption. The following guidelines will help to prepare the applications. THE SAME INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION MUST BE SHOWN ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL ROLL. This includes the same name and exactly the same parcel number.

WHERE AND WHEN FILED
There are definite laws governing the time and place in which one files for homestead exemption.
1. Where
The application must be filed with the Tax Assessor of the county in which the property is located. If the applicant is filing on property that lies in two counties, he must first file in the county in which the residence is found. The applicant must then have two (2) certified copies of that application showing the assessed value of both the land and the buildings and the total assessed value allowed. The applicant should take the applications to the Tax Assessor's office in the adjoining county where the additional property is located. The certified copies of the resident county must be ATTACHED to the application of the adjoining county. One copy is to be sent with the original (not attached) that is sent to the Tax Commission. The other copy is to be attached to the copy that is kept on file in the Chancery Clerk's office. The limit of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) and one hundred sixty (160) acres must be considered on the combined values of both counties.
2. When
The application must be filed between January 1 and April 1 in the year the homestead exemption is being sought. If the deadline has passed, there is no recourse to file a late application. If a courthouse has been destroyed, the Governor may extend the deadline an additional thirty (30) days.
3. Completeness

OATH AND SIGNATURES
1. Both the signature of the applicant and the signature of the Tax Assessor or his deputy are needed to make the application valid. The application for homestead exemption is an affidavit He (the applicant) is required to take a solemn oath to that effect. It is further required that this oath be administered only by officials who are authorized by law to take such oaths. When the applicant's name or mark appears in the signature space on the application, he assumes full responsibility for the content of the application and its truthfulness. The authenticity of the signature mark is the responsibility of the officer that acknowledges the application. This office must state on the application over his signature and official position that (1) the application was sworn as to being true and correct and (2) was signed in his presence by the applicant on a certain date. A person making his mark is a valid signature when acknowledged by the officer.
2. A husband and wife may sign for the other. A person holding power of attorney may sign for the applicant; however, proof of such must be attached to his application each year. THE TAX ASSESSOR OR HIS DEPUTY MAY NOT SIGN FOR ANY APPLICANT UNLESS VESTED WITH POWER OF ATTORNEY. Form 72-002, Power of Attorney, can be used strictly for homestead exemption purposes. Once this form is completed, a copy may be attached to the current application.

AMENDED APPLICATIONS
If an applicant fails to disclose the fact that he is eligible for additional exemption, an amended application should be filed. Amended applications should be sent to the Tax Commission under a separate cover from the original applications.
1. How
A new application is used to file an amended application with the word "AMENDED" clearly marked across the top of the application and the reason for the amendment written on the application. When amending an existing application, line 1 through 9 must be completed. The original signatures of both the Tax Assessor and the applicant should also be on that application.
2. When to
An amended application can only be used if an applicant fails to disclose eligibility for an additional exemption A copy of the proof of the exemption should be attached to the amended application. This must be approved by the Board of Supervisors no later than the last Monday in August of the year following the year the supplemental roll was approved.
3. Deadline
An amended application may be filed no later than the last Monday in August of the year following the year in which the original application was filed. This is also the deadline for submission of a petition to adjust exemption on the supplemental roll. Any petition to adjust the supplemental roll must be received by the Tax Commission no later than September 15 of the year following the year in which the Supplemental roll is made. Any Petitions received after that date shall not be accepted. If an amended application is made, then a petition to the supplemental roll should be made reflecting the change. THE INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION MUST BE THE SAME AS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL ROLL.

LOST APPLICATION
In cases where a person claims to have filed an application for homestead exemption within the time prescribed by law and does not have his blue copy of the application and a copy cannot be found in the county office or the Tax Commission office, there is no remedy. An application does not exist for that year. If the person does have his blue copy of the application and it is signed and dated by the Tax Assessors and is eligible in all other areas, then the applicant may use that copy as a replacement for the lost original application. The Tax Assessor shall accept this copy and shall certify that it is a valid copy. The deadline to accept the blue copy from the applicant is March 31 of the year following the year in which the application was filed. If an applicant produces his blue copy after that date, the Tax Assessor may not accept it. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors should make a copy of the applicant's blue copy and certify it as a valid copy and send it to the Tax Commission. The Tax Collector shall make a petition to adjust exemption to the supplemental roll adding the applicant. The Board of Supervisors must approve the copy of the application.

SENT TO TAX COMMISSION
The completed applications that are filed should be sent to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors on the first day of the month following the month in which they were filed. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is to send all the applications to the Tax Commission no later than June 1. All applications should be sent at one time. The law requires the Tax Commission to reject the reimbursement of tax loss any exemption granted by the Board of Supervisors for which no application has been sent in this manner. In order for the tax Commission to process the applications, the following guidelines shall be followed.
1. Applications should be alphabetized.
2. Applications should not be folded or mutilated in any way.
3. Do not place applications in binders.
4. If any attachment is made to an application, it should be in a separate bundle to the applications.
5. Enclose a letter stating total number of applications sent to the Tax Commission office.

Each governmental official's duties in the administration of the homestead exemption law are explained in the statute. This is a brief synopsis of those duties

TAX ASSESSOR - Section 27-33-33
All claims for homestead exemption must first come to the Tax Assessor. The Tax Assessor should exercise the greatest of care in order that the claim may conform to the requirements of the law in this initial step.
1. Assess homestead separately
The first important duty of the Tax Assessor is to require that all land and buildings be separately assessed on the land roll and supplemental roll. The Tax Assessor shall prepare proper notice to the Board of Supervisors requesting any changes that need to be made to the roll. The Tax Assessor shall also inspect new dwellings and recommend to the Board of Supervisors the value at which the dwellings should be assessed. The Tax Assessor shall assess all properties, homestead or non-homestead, in a fair and uniform way.
2. Applications
The Tax Assessor must keep a supply of blank homestead exemption forms for the public. He shall carefully examine all applications before he accepts them. He must require each application to be complete. If the application is not complete, it is the duty of the Tax Assessor to return it to the applicant and require him to complete it. He shall require that the applications be made in quadruplicate. He shall assist the applicant if necessary.
3. Accuracy
If the Tax Assessor believes any statements made on the application are not true, he should report it to the Board of Supervisors. He should suggest that the applicant make any correction needed; however, he cannot make the correction himself without the applicant's approval.
4. Property executed
The Tax Assessor shall examine the application and if it is complete, he shall sign it and date it and return to the taxpayer his blue copy. Unless an application is properly executed, the Tax Assessor shall also give any information or recommendation to the Board of Supervisors as it concerns the eligibility of homestead exemptions.
5. Accept applications
It is the duty of the Tax Assessor to accept all applications from January 1 through April 1, both dates inclusive. The applicant who does not file his application during this period forfeits all his homestead exemption rights for that year. The Tax Assessor does not have the authority to disallow an exemption; however, the assessor may refuse an application if it is not complete. The Tax Assessor can express his opinion as to the eligibility of an applicant, but must accept the application if the applicant chooses to file one.
6. Deliver applications
On the first day of each month, the Tax Assessor is to deliver to the Clerk all applications which were filed with him during the preceding month. All applications must be given to the Clerk by May 1 of each year. This allows the Tax Assessor time to inspect all applications while they are in his possession. If a problem is found, he may request the applicant to make the necessary corrections. The Tax Assessor is also allowed time to verify parcel numbers, etc. with the land roll.
7. Assist the Board
The law requires the Tax Assessor to attend all Board meetings when any homestead exemption matter is being considered. He shall give any assistance in these matters that the Board of Supervisors may require. He shall also file with the Board of Supervisors, at each monthly meeting, notices of any errors in an application already filed, or of any corrections needed on the land roll or supplemental roll. The Tax Assessor shall also give any information or recommendation to the Board of Supervisors concerning the eligibility of an applicant.
8. Delete List
Prepared by the Tax Assessor and approved by the Board of Supervisors. This must be delivered to the Tax Commission no later than December 31 each year.

CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Section 27-33-35
The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is to keep all documents relating to homestead exemption that come before the Board of Supervisors. In Addition to his regular duties, he shall perform the following:
1. Accept applications
From February 1 until May 1, the Clerk shall accept all applications for homestead exemption delivered to him by the Tax Assessor.
2. Deliver applications
The Clerk is required to deliver to the Tax Commission on or before June 1, the original of all applications received by him. The applications should be alphabetized.
3. Board of Supervisors
The Clerk shall present to the Board of Supervisors on the first day of its regular monthly meeting, the duplicate of all applications filed with him by the Tax Assessor. The Clerk shall perform any duty that the Board of Supervisors may delegate to him.
4. Applications on File
The Clerk shall keep the applications on file in alphabetical order for a period of three (3) years. The applications are a matter of public record.
5. Prepare supplemental roll
Immediately after the land roll has been approved by the Tax Commission and the Board of Supervisors, the Clerk shall prepare on forms provided by the Tax Commission, in triplicate, the Recapitulation of the Homestead Exemptions (supplemental roll) for any taxing unit in his county. This includes municipal supplemental rolls. Each of these copies must be certified by the Clerk as to its correctness, completeness, and truthfulness. The ORIGINAL of the supplemental roll shall be sent to the Tax Commission. One copy shall be delivered to the Tax Collector. The other copy shall be placed in the land roll in the Clerk's office. This supplemental roll shall contain all homestead exemption applications granted by the Board of Supervisors and shall be made from the applications and not from the land roll.
6. Tax loss certificate
No later than December 31 shall the Clerk prepare the Certificate of Tax Loss for all taxing units in his county, including the municipalities. These certificates shall be made in triplicate, on the forms provided by the Tax Commission. Each copy shall bear his certification. He shall, no later than December 31 each year, deliver the original copy of these certificates to the Tax Commission, deliver the duplicate to the Tax Collector, and retain the third copy in his file as public record. The Certificate of Tax Loss must reflect the information on the supplemental roll. Certificates received later than June 1 of the following year shall not be considered for reimbursement by the Tax Commission.
7. Municipalities
Only the county has the authority to allow or disallow exemptions. It is the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to certify the forms for the municipalities. It is also the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to certify the forms for the municipalities. It is also the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to send the ORIGINAL of these completed forms to the Tax Commission in the same manner as the county forms and send the duplicates to the Municipal Clerk.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Section 27-33-37
With the exception of the Tax Commission, only the county Board of Supervisors has the authority to allow or disallow applications. Some duties concerning that authority are outlined below.
1. Examine applications
The most important duty requires the Board of Supervisors to examine each application that has been delivered by the Clerk. This examination is to be done each month. Applications should be allowed, disallowed or held for further examination.
2. Rule on eligibility
It is the duty of the Board of Supervisors to allow or disallow all applications by the August board meeting. The Board of Supervisors should disallow all applications that do not conform to the requirements of the law. Notice in writing by mail must be given to applicants disallowed by the Board. Notice in writing by mail must also be given by the Board to applicants disallowed by the Tax Commission.
3. Have errors corrected
If the Board discovers an error in an application or is made aware of eligibility for additional exemption, it should give notice to the applicant and ask that the necessary corrections be made by the applicant. If the error is found before the April 1 deadline, a new application should be filed. If the error is found after the April 1 deadline, an amended application is made. No correction can be made on homestead applications after final action by the Board. Final correction of the supplemental roll must be approved by the Board no later than the last Monday in August of the year following the year in which the supplemental roll was made. This correction must be received by the Tax Commission no later than September 15 of the year following the year which the roll is made.
4. Approve rolls
The Board of Supervisors approves the supplemental roll for the current year after all applications have been allowed or disallowed. The action of the Board approving the supplemental roll must be made of minute record. This supplemental roll becomes a part of the regular land roll and requires the same procedure to make it official. Any corrections to that supplemental roll must be in the State Tax Commission office no later than September 15 of the year following the year in which the supplemental roll was made. Any changes to the roll must be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Supervisors.
5. Tax Commission charges
The Board of Supervisors should respond to a Tax Commission charge by accepting or objecting to the charge. If the Board objects to a charge, a written statement of objection must be included. Three copies of the charge are sent to the Chancery Clerk. The white copy will become a county record. The blue copy should be mailed to the applicant. The pink copy should be returned to the Tax Commission with acceptance or objection indicated on the copy. The findings of the Tax Commission are final and must be recorded in the minutes of the Board of Supervisors.
6. Additional taxes
The Board of Supervisors shall order the Tax Collector to collect any additional taxes due as a result of a homestead exemption disallowed by the Tax Commission after being allowed by the Board.
7. Employ necessary assistance
The Board of Supervisors may employ the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to perform any of the duties they deem necessary.

TAX COMMISSION - Section 27-33-41
The Tax Commission has duties to perform in connection with homestead exemption.
1. Rules and regulations
The Tax Commission shall adopt rules to aid administration of the homestead exemption law.
2. Forms
The Tax Commission is to furnish and prescribe all forms needed in the administration of homestead exemption law.
3. Examination
The law requires the Tax Commission to examine all documents concerning homestead exemption. This duty must be performed in order to determine the eligibility of any property or any person claiming homestead exemption. It is also the duty of the Tax Commission to examine all tax loss claims made by any taxing unit. This duty must be performed to determine that claims are made within the requirements of the law.
4. Errors
The Tax Commission shall correct or have corrected any error found during the examination of a document. Notice to the taxing unit of the correction needed shall be given in writing.
5. Adjustments
The Tax Commission shall reject for reimbursement of tax loss any exemption allowed by the Board of Supervisors which does not conform to the statute or for which an application is not in the Tax Commission office. Notice of such adjustment shall be made to the Board of Supervisors as a charge in writing. The Board of Supervisors shall have the opportunity to object to any charge made by the Tax Commission; however, the final decision is made by the Tax Commission.
6. Reimbursement
The Tax Commission shall reimburse the taxing unit for each approved applicant. This reimbursement shall be made in two installments, one in March and one in September, provided all requirements are met by the taxing unit. The Tax Commission shall certify to the State Auditor the amount of reimbursement for each taxing unit.

STATE AUDITOR - Section 27-33-45
The State Auditor shall issue warrants in the amount requested by the Tax Commission for each taxing unit.

STATE TREASURER - Section 27-33-47
The State Treasurer shall pay the warrants from money appropriated for the purpose of homestead exemptions.

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL - Section 27-33-49
The State Attorney General will issue opinions clarifying issues in the homestead exemption law. This opinion will be the guideline used by the Tax Commission in resolving any problem relating to the opinion. If there are two opposing opinions issued, the most current opinion will be the one followed.

TAX COLLECTOR - Section 27-33-51
The land roll and the tax levy constitute an official order to the Tax Collector to collect ad valorem taxes from each real property owner. The supplemental roll and the tax levy constitute an official order to the Tax Collector that a portion of the ad valorem taxes are not to be collected from property owners.
1. Correct the supplemental roll
Occasionally, it becomes necessary to make changes to the county and/or municipal supplemental roll. These changes can be ordered only by the Board of Supervisors upon receipt of a request from the Tax Assessor, or a notice from the Tax Commission for a change in the supplemental roll. These changes shall be listed on the Petition to Adjust Exemption to county or municipal supplemental roll and shall be prepared as required in Rule 7 - Supplemental Roll. (Forms 72-005 and 72-006) The law requires the Tax Collector to make these changes in the supplemental roll and to collect taxes in accordance with the roll as changed.
2. Collect additional taxes
Any taxes due as a result of any change ordered in the supplemental roll must be collected by the Tax Collector. This additional tax must be collected on or before February 1 of the year following the year in which the notice to do so is issued. If the property owner does not pay the taxes when due, the Tax Collector is required to collect the taxes as in the case of any other delinquent taxes.
3. Issue tax receipt
The Tax Collector shall issue a separate tax receipt upon payment of any additional taxes due as a result of any changes made in the supplemental roll. He shall also issue a tax receipt to all taxpayers who have paid their taxes or who do not owe any taxes because of homestead exemption.

MUNICIPAL CLERK
Since the repeal of the Municipal Homestead Exemption Law, the Municipal Clerk has no authority to allow or disallow homestead exemptions. This duty has been given to the county. If a municipality wishes to be reimbursed for eligible applicants over 65 years of age or who are 100% disabled that live within the municipality's taxing district, it is the responsibility of the Municipal Clerk to have all documents needed for such reimbursement submitted to the Tax Commission. Until the Municipal Supplemental Roll, the Municipal Certificate of Tax Loss, and the Certified Tax levy is in the Tax Commission office and certified by the county Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, no reimbursement shall be made to that municipality.
1. Municipal supplemental roll
The Municipal Clerk should be sure that the Municipal Supplemental Roll is prepared on Form 72-043 and sent to the Tax Commission in order for a timely reimbursement to be made. It is the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to prepare your roll according to statute.
2. Certificate of tax loss
The Municipal Clerk should be sure that the Municipal Certificate of Tax Loss is prepared and sent to the Tax Commission. Again, it is the duty of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors to prepare this document.
3. Certified tax levy
The Municipal Clerk should submit to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors a certified copy of the Resolution of the Board setting the tax levy in order for the Clerk to complete the Municipal Supplemental Roll. A certificate copy of the tax levy should also be sent to the Tax Commission before reimbursement can be made to a municipality.
4. Applicants
Only the county officials have the authority to allow or disallow homestead exemptions. If the Municipal Clerk has any information concerning the eligibility of an applicant, it is his duty to relay that information to the county officials or to the Tax Commission.
5. When a charge is received
When an applicant that is listed on the Municipal Supplemental Roll has his exemption disallowed by the Tax Commission, a notice of adjustment or charge is sent to the municipality. Only the county may accept or object to the charge.

PENALTIES
1. If any official knowingly does not comply with the provisions of the Homestead Exemption Law in connection with an allowed exemption of reimbursement deducted because of the disallowance of the fraudulent exemption. If an official approves an exemption he knows to be ineligible, the Tax Commission could reduce the reimbursement by two hundred dollars ($200) instead of the normal one hundred dollars ($100).
2. Any person who assists another to prepare a fraudulent claim for exemption, who executes a fictitious deed or mortgage, who makes a fraudulent claim for exemption, or who makes any false statement on an application is guilty of a misdemeanor and if convicted can be fined not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or be imprisoned for six (6) months.

35.VI.03.10 Mississippi Administrative Code
Part VI, Sub-part 03, Chapter10

The Tax Assessor must furnish to the Tax Commission a list of homestead applications to be deleted each year.

This list must be approved by the Board of Supervisors and delivered to the Tax Commission no later than September 15 each year.

The deletion list may be furnished by using any one of the following methods:
1. A magnetic tape prepared according to Tax Commission specifications.
2. Form 72-003, Correction/Deletion of the Homestead Application, may be completed for each application to be deleted.
3. A computer listing of applicants filing Homestead will be furnished. The assessor's office may highlight the applications to be deleted and return the list to the State Tax Commission.
4. Deletion list must include the name, social security number and parcel number of each applicant to be deleted.
5. Electronic filing (email system) according to required specifications and with Tax commission approval.

The deletion list should include:
1. those applicants who sold property during the previous year and will not appear on the current Homestead Supplemental roll.
2. those applicants who have changed exemption status (Example - Regular in
1994, over 65 in 1995.)
3. those applicants who have had a change in ownership, occupancy, or property description. (A new application should be filed.)
4. those applicants who died in the previous year. (A new application should be filed by the heir/heirs or new owners.)