By Daily Press staff
Seniors looking for relief from the school parcel tax might need to know how to get a break.
Measure “S” is a six-year parcel tax of $225 that began last year and contains an exemption for senior citizens. If you’re a senior citizen who applied for and received the senior exemption, the $225 assessment was removed from your tax bill. Since you are now in the system, you will be sent a renewal form in May to be completed, signed and returned by July 31.
Seniors don’t need to attach proofs of age and property ownership because those are still on file, officials say. A self-addressed envelope will be enclosed so that you can return the renewal form as soon as possible.
If you haven’t applied for senior exemption, here are the requirements to be exempted for 2004-05: ■ You must be at least 65 years old by June 30, and you must own and occupy your property as your primary residence.
If you fulfill those requirements, call Dawn Smithfield at the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District at (310) 450-8338, ext. 269 and leave your name and telephone number. She will return your call and then add you to the mailing list for first-time applicants.
An application will be mailed to you in May for you to complete, sign and return — along with a copy of your proof of age (either a California driver’s license, a California identification card, passport or birth certificate) and a copy of your property tax bill.
The application and supporting documentation must be returned to the school district by July 31. The deadline will remain for the duration of the Measure “S” parcel tax.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 10, 2004. Read the original PDF.