Julie Hilbert...

WISCONSIN HOMESTEAD CREDIT By Julie Hilbert, Benefit Specialist Fond du Lac County The Wisconsin Homestead Credit is a tax benefit for renters and homeowners with low or moderate incomes. It is designed to lessen the impact of rent and property taxes. Property taxes do not need to be paid before filing for Homestead Credit. Qualifying persons can get back some or all of their state taxes withheld during the year. Household income that is reported includes all income for tax purposes plus certain nontaxable income. Nontaxable income includes gross Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement, pensions, IRA income and income from investments, etc. You have until April 15, 2017 to file for your 2012 homestead credit, and after April 16, 2013, you can receive credit back to 2009. The maximum amount of Homestead Credit can be as high as $1,160. Expect to wait six (6) to ten (10) weeks for the payment from the time it is submitted. To check up on payments you can visit the department’s website at www.dor.state.wi.us. Other assistance is available by calling the Madison office at 608-266-8641. To qualify for Homestead credit you must: • Be a legal Wisconsin resident for all of 2012 • Have a household income less than $24,680 • Be a owner or renter of the homestead during 2012 • Not be claiming farmland preservation credit for 2012 • Not be living in a nursing home and receiving medical assistance • No claim may be filed on behalf of a person after his or her death Julie Hilbert the Benefit Specialist for Fond du Lac County will be conducting Free Homestead Tax Clinics during the month of February. Please see below for dates and locations. If you are unable to make it to one of the clinics please schedule an appointment by calling 920-929-3521. What to bring: 1099’s from Social Security, banks, pensions, and any other statements of income and a copy of your property tax bill or a completed rent certificate. HOMESTEAD CLINICS Riverview Apartments – 101 Western Avenue, Fond du Lac – February 4, 2013 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Grand Court Apartments – 630 W. Arndt St., Fond du Lac – February 5, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Westnor Apartments – 653 W. Arndt Street, Fond du Lac – February 5, 2013 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Heather Meadows – 235 Winnebago Street, North Fond du Lac – February 6, 2013 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Northgate Apartments – 350 Winnebago Street, North Fond du Lac – February 6, 2013 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Waupun – 301 E. Main Street, Waupun - February 7, 2013 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Brandon – Grand Vista Apartments, 552 E. Washington, Brandon – February 7, 2013 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Ripon Senior Center – 100 E. Jackson St., Ripon – February 11, 2013, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Campbellsport – 163 E. Main Street, Campbellsport – February 12, 2013 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.