Greenwood Residents Offered Property Tax Relief After Hurricane Helene

Greenwood Residents Offered Property Tax Relief After Hurricane Helene

Greenwood, S.C. – Hey there, Greenwood! If you’ve been feeling the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and your home has taken a hit, there’s some important news that could ease your financial burden. Greenwood County officials want to remind residents that those whose homes suffered significant damage from the hurricane may have a chance for a much-needed review of their property tax value.

Temporary Tax Rate Reduction Available

According to the county’s announcement, if your home was significantly impacted, this review could lead to a temporary reduction in your property tax rate! That’s right—while you focus on repairing your home, you might save a bit on your taxes during the process.

What You Need to Know

The review process involves assessing the damage done to your home and adjusting its value accordingly. This means you’ll need to gather some documentation proving how much your home was affected. To ensure a smooth process, here’s what you’ll need to prepare:

• Evidence of the property damage (like photos or repair estimates).
• Any other relevant documents that show the extent of the damage.

Once you’ve made the necessary repairs, your property will be reassessed back to its original value unless you’ve made any changes to the footprint of the building—in that case, any new construction value will be added to the prior assessment.

How to Apply

So, how do you get this process rolling? It’s pretty straightforward! Residents can submit their review requests in person at the Greenwood County Assessor’s Office, located at the Greenwood County Courthouse on 528 Monument Street, Room 109. Alternatively, if it’s easier, you can email your supporting documents to lmeakim@greenwoodsc.gov.

But don’t wait too long! Requests must be submitted before you make any tax payments. You have until the first penalty date on or before January 15, 2025, to get your requests in.

What Happens After Submission?

Here’s something to keep in mind: if you report your property as destroyed after you’ve already paid your taxes, the county can’t issue a refund for any taxes already paid. However, they will remove the value of the improvement on your property for the next tax year—until the property is repaired or rebuilt.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the details, don’t worry! Applications for the property tax review are available and can certainly help you navigate through this process.

Let’s Work Together!

It’s truly heartening to see Greenwood County stepping in to help residents in their time of need, as recovery from a hurricane can be quite challenging. If your home has been impacted, make sure to take advantage of this opportunity for potential tax relief. Just remember to gather your documents and submit your request as soon as possible!

So hang in there, Greenwood! With some patience and the help available, brighter days are just around the corner.