If you’re hoping to see a different figure on your property tax bill this year but haven’t filed a return or applied for exemptions yet, you might want to cancel your Monday lunch plans.

Monday marks the last day property owners can submit a tax return or application for most tax exemptions for the 2010 tax bill.

Between 1,300 and 1,400 property owners have already filed a return this year, Hall County officials said, which allows them to request a new assessment of their property. If residents think their home value has changed, they must submit a tax return by 5 p.m. Monday.

That deadline also applies to most homestead
exemptions, including disabled veterans, disabled persons and the partial school tax for residents 62 and older.

"Missing out on a tax exemption is like going to the grocery store and leaving your coupons in the car — it’s frustrating," said Nikki Young, Hall County public information officer. "We don’t want our residents to miss these savings, so we are trying to make sure property owners know what exemptions are available to them. Taxpayers can save a lot of money with exemptions, and that’s especially important these days."

Seniors looking for the total school tax exemption have a bit longer to apply.

"The total school tax exemption — that’s the over age 70 exemption for Hall County residents — the deadline on that is May 1," said Mike Henderson, chief tax appraiser for Hall County.

For Hall County residents, seniors must provide proof they are 70 or older as of Jan. 1, 2010. Residents inside Gainesville city limits must be 72 or older.

Exemption applications are available online and can be submitted using an online form or in person to the Hall County Tax Assessors office in Gainesville. Property owners can also mail their documents.

If taxpayers opt to mail in their property tax returns to request a new assessment "they do have to state a value that they feel the property is worth and that also has to be postmarked by (March 1) to be a valid return," Henderson said.

Officials acknowledge that taxes can be overwhelming for some, but help and resources are available.

"Exemption information is available at hallcounty.org; it went out with the tax bills, and the Tax Assessors staff is happy to help people at their office," Young said.

Applications for some exemptions will still be available Tuesday. They just won’t be very helpful in 2010.

"You can sign up for a regular homestead exemption throughout the year but what drives the year you’ll receive it, it has to be prior to March 1 to get it for the 2010 tax year," Henderson said. "(Property owners) can file after March 1, of course, but it will be for the following year."