BY DAN HILDEBRAN
General manager
The Bradford County Property Appraiser’s Office has filed a $4,549.31 lien against a Starke property owner because she claimed a homestead exemption on a residence she did not live in.
The property appraiser’s office was first tipped off to the possibility of Jarotha Reed not living at the Crum Street home when mail sent to the address was returned undeliverable. While the office investigated the case, Reed admitted to workers in the office that she did not live in the home.
The property appraiser’s office said Jones took advantage of $125,000 worth of homestead exemptions over five years for which she was not entitled.
Property appraiser Kenny Clark said many taxpayers are unaware of the laws governing homestead exemptions and unknowingly continue to benefit from the tax break after moving out of a home.
