Memorial Day is a time of reflection and recognition of the ultimate sacrifice that many of our veterans have made for our country. As we celebrate the holiday with family and friends, I hope you will join me in honoring those who died defending our country and our values.
At the Auditor’s office, we are working hard to help our veterans. One important tool we offer to qualifying veterans can help significantly reduce their property taxes and help them stay in their homes: The enhanced homestead exemption for disabled veterans.
The enhanced homestead exemption is a program set by state law that exempts up to $50,000 of property value from being taxed for qualifying disabled veterans. It’s different from the standard homestead exemption for older adults, in that it doubles the amount of home value that can be exempted, there is no age requirement, and there is no income requirement that would limit its use.
It is open to veterans, including those of the reserves or National Guard, who own and occupy their home and who have received honorable discharges and a total disability rating as a result of their service to our country.
Applying is easy and can be done online at the Auditor’s office website. It’s a simple way to help our veterans stay in the homes they’ve maintained and enjoyed for years.
I will continue to work to honor their legacy by making our community the best place to live and work. We have lots of important issues before us, from addressing the lack of affordable housing to protecting the right to vote. I want to make sure everyone can take part in the American dream that our veterans fought to protect.
Let’s celebrate this holiday weekend by reflecting the American values that our service men and women fought and died for. Happy Memorial Day!
As always, if you have suggestions, I encourage you to contact me at (614) 525-5700, or at AuditorStinziano@franklincountyohio.gov.
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Sweep by Auditor’s office Inspectors Finds No Skimmers
Ahead of Memorial Day, Auditor’s office inspectors conducted a sweep of gas station credit card readers and found no fraudulent skimmers.
The round of inspections, which took place May 26, ensures consumers are protected as they travel and celebrate the holiday weekend, and the results of the inspections will be sent to the FBI.
Skimmers are devices installed by would-be thieves which illegally harvest credit card information from gas station credit card readers.
Increasingly, gas stations are deploying new credit card readers that use encrypted chips to complete transactions, which are much more secure than the old magnetic strip readers. All credit card readers are in the process of making the transition to the new chip technology.
For more information on how the Auditor’s office works to protect consumers from fraud, visit the office’s Weights and Measures website.
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Hoover Gardens wins May True Transactions Award
Hoover Gardens and Gift Center in Westerville has won the May True Transactions Award for its outstanding record of using accurate scales and scanners in its gardening, landscaping, and home decorating sales and services.
“I commend Hoover Gardens on its sterling record of using precise scales and scanners in its sales and services. Hoover’s staff works with Weights and Measures inspectors to ensure accurate scales and scanners for their customers, a sign of a great local business,” Stinziano said.
Hoover Gardens and Gift Center is located at 182 N. Sunbury Rd. in Westerville and serves gardening, landscaping, and home decorating needs with approachable and expert staff. Hoover Gardens also features celebrity shop kitty “Smokey.”
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Property Tax Assistance Program Sees Record Participation
The Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) received a record 220 applications for help paying second-half 2020 property taxes, Auditor Stinziano announced this month.
The program, which is administered by the Auditor’s office, provides emergency one-time property tax assistance to low-income homeowners age 60 or older, and is a nonprofit entity funded solely through donations. The deadline to file for assistance with second-half 2020 tax payments was May 20. The previous record number of filings was 36 for first-half 2020 tax payments earlier this year.
PTAP applications are reviewed by a Board consisting of the Franklin County Auditor, Franklin County Treasurer, Franklin County Office on Aging, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Concord Counseling, Clintonville CRC, Columbus Catholic Social Services, Syntero, and St. Stephens Community House. Applicants are additionally linked with social service agencies for support.
More information, including application deadlines, can be found on the Auditor’s office website. The program was founded in 1987 and has supported hundreds of qualifying homeowners in Franklin County.
Community Hours
Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano continues to hold weekly Community Hours meetings where residents can stop by, visit, and share firsthand their feedback and ideas about the Auditor’s office or any concerns they have.
The meetings continue a practice Stinziano has carried out since he was first elected to office. Community Hours will be held at the dates and locations listed below.
Thursday, June 3rd at 9:30-10:30am (in-person)
Perry Township Hall, 7125 Sawmill Rd.
Wednesday, June 9th at 6:00pm (via facebook @mstinziano)
Highlighting Bella's Pizza in Franklin Township
Monday, June 14th at 1:00pm (via facebook @mstinziano)
With special guest Judge Mackey, highlighting Anthony Thomas Candy in Marble Cliff
Tuesday, June 22nd at 11:00am (via facebook @mstinziano)
Highlighting Pochi Cafe in Mifflin Township
Tuesday, June 29th at 5:00-6:00pm (in-person)
Reynoldsburg Municipal Building, 7232 E. Main St.
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