Randolph County tax
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterRandolph County residents can expect to receive their annual tax assessment soon and Assessor Phyllis Yokum is reminding property owners of their responsibilities. In addition to the assessor's office preparing to receive information from property owners in the county, land appraisals are currently under review by an independent company.
The review of property assessments, which are being conducted by KPS Appraisal Group based in Flushing, Ohio, is mandated by the State Tax Commissioner. Currently, 24 counties in the state are being reviewed and Yokum will receive Randolph County's results during the late fall. When the review is completed and all county assessors' offices are reviewed, a report of whether counties are consistent in their appraisal methods will be studied.
Yokum says she and her staff are "keeping a watchful eye" on the current economic downturn and the effects it may have on property values in the county. Although fewer deeds being recorded, selling prices have remained consistent, Yokum added.
"It would be very difficult for our office to reduce values when sales don't indicate the need for that," she said. "Our property assessed values are based largely on selling prices and we will review these very carefully when the time comes this year to do our sales ratio study."
This fall, the assessor's office will study all sales made between July 1, 2009, and June 30.
Personal Property Assessments
Anyone who was assessed last year is on the assessor's mailing list and should receive an assessment. Anyone who does not receive an assessment must call or go to the assessor's office because penalties will be charged to those who do not respond by Oct. 1.
All vehicles, including campers, boats, motor homes, ATVs and utility trailers must be assessed by Oct. 1. Vehicles are not automatically assessed, therefore it is the owner's responsibility to confirm ownership of the vehicle assessed in the previous year or notify the office of a new vehicle owned by July 1. Mobile home owners who do not own the land on which it sets must still pay personal property taxes on the unit, according to Yokum.
"Making sure your vehicles are assessed and taxed on a regular tax statement could save you interest and penalty charges on a supplemental tax statement that has to be made up in our office," Yokum said.
Per West Virginia State Code 11-3-10, a penalty of $25 to $100 may be added to assessments not reported in a timely matter. Also, a vehicle tax receipt is required by the Division of Motor Vehicles to renew all vehicle licenses, Yokum added.
Vehicles with high mileage are eligible to receive a reduced assessment value if a high mileage affidavit, which can be obtained at the assessor's office, is signed and returned no later than Oct. 1, Yokum said. High mileage reductions can be applied only to vehicles turned in on a regular assessment, not on a supplemental tax statement.
Personal Property Business
Returns
All businesses are required to file a Commercial Business Property Return. These are mailed to businesses assessed during the previous year and on the assessor's office mailing list. The form should be completed regardless of whether it was received through the mail. The Commercial Business Property Return may be obtained at the assessor's office.
The form covers machinery and equipment, inventory, vehicles owned by the business, etc. Businesses in operation as of July 1 will be considered a non-filer if the form is not completed, which means the appraised value will be estimated, Yokum explained.
Anyone who owns a business, no matter the size, should contact the assessor's office to file a return. Staff can provide assistance with the form.
Dog Taxes
All dogs 6 months or older are required to be registered and have a dog tag. The county dog tag is $3 and owners of dogs living in a municipality must also pay a fee established by the city government. The tags issued are valid until July 1, 2010.
Exemptions
Exemptions to assessed values allow people to save money on their taxes. West Virginia tax exemptions are:
Military Exemption: Members of the military who were active July 1 and stationed outside of West Virginia are entitled to select one vehicle for tax exemption. The chosen vehicle should be listed on the tax assessment, but note they are an active member of the military. Paperwork proving active military status must be presented to the assessor's office no later than Oct. 1.
Homestead Exemption: Individuals 65 or older or those who turned 65 on July 1 are eligible to receive a $20,000 exemption of the assessed value of the home in which they reside. The person's name must be listed on the property deed.
"We sign people up for this in the office from July 1 until Dec. 1 each year," Yokum said. "There is a two-year residence requirement for people moving in from out of state. Taxpayers must apply in the assessor's office. They only have to sign up one time, unless they change their residence."
Disability Exemption: Disability Exemption works the same way as the Homestead Exemption, except there is no age specification. Those eligible for the exemption must be completely and permanently disabled with proof of disability by an award or doctor's letter. Such letters must be presented to the assessor's office when the application is completed, Yokum said.
Managed Timberland Contract: Property can be placed under a managed timberland contract with the Division of Forestry. Managed Timberland Contracts are a tax incentive program. The initial contracts were due July 1 and annual applications for certification are due Sept. 1. The proper forms for the program may be obtained from the assessor's office. The value of managed timberland tracts is determined by the Division of Forestry and state Tax Department.
Farm Use: To qualify for the exemption, the tracts must produce $1,000 of agricultural products. The exemption reduces the price per acre value on land listed as farm, such as pasture and tillable.
Those who applied during the previous year will be mailed the application, which must be completed annually and returned to the assessor's office by Sept. 1.
Sheep and Goat Program: Assessors may collect $1 per head on all breeding sheeps and goats. The money collected is deposited into the Integrated Predation Management Fund by the Department of Agriculture. Those who pay into the program are eligible to have a member of the Department of Agriculture trap coyotes on their property if a goat or sheep is killed by the animal.
Other than claiming exemptions, property owners have the responsibility to notify the assessor of any building or structure that increases the value of the real estate by more than $1,000. Such notification should be given to the assessor's office within 60 days after the commencement of the property improvement, Yokum explained. The "Notice of Building or Real Property Improvement" may be obtained in the assessor's office or online at randolphcountyassessor.com.
Those who do not receive a mailing from the assessor's office should check to make sure their correct address is on file, Yokum said. Change of address forms are available at the office.
"If your address changes, it is very important that you notify our office because all correspondences are done through the mail," Yokum said. "If we don't have a current address, chances are you won't receive your tax statement in a timely manner."
Forms are available in the assessor's office and may be accessed and printed from the Randolph County Assessor's office website at randolphcountyassessor.com. The assessor's office hours are Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The assessor's office phone number is 304-636-2114.
