As the annual March 1 property tax exemption filing deadline approaches, Leon County Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi, PhD, RA, CFA, CMS, has announced extended office hours and community filing opportunities during the month of February to better serve citizens.

Leon County property owners who occupy their home as their permanent residence as of January 1 may qualify for homestead exemption or other money-saving property tax exemptions. Homestead exemption reduces the assessed value of the property by up to $50,000, resulting in a tax savings of up to several hundred dollars.

Additional property tax benefits may be available to senior citizens and property owners living with disabilities, including veterans and first responders, and active-duty military service members. Applications for property tax exemptions must be submitted to the property appraiser’s office on or before March 1.

“Filing for homestead exemption is a breeze with our convenient options, whether online, by email, mail, fax, or in person. Our extended office hours and filing opportunities available throughout the community are designed to offer property owners more flexibility, ensuring they can interact with our office at times and locations that suit them best,” Akinyemi said.

In addition to regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the month of February the Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office will be open from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Property owners with questions about tax exemptions may reach the Leon County Property Appraiser’s Office at (850) 606-6200, or in person at 315 S. Calhoun Street, Third Floor, located behind the Leon County Courthouse, or at one of the many community filing opportunities listed on leonpa.gov.