Widows, widowers, disabled individuals or senior citizens who are Navajo County property owners on fixed or limited incomes may be qualified to receive a break on their property taxes. County property owners requesting property tax exemptions or reductions have from now until Feb. 28 to apply for these benefits through the Navajo County Assessor’s Office. Individuals must meet criteria that include income and property value limitations. Non-profit organizations can also apply during this time period. “We know we have neighbors in our communities for whom it’s a real struggle just to cover the necessities, and this exemption was designed to provide relief from a portion of property taxes,” said Navajo County Assessor Cammy Darris. A property owner applying for the first time must appear in person to sign all the appropriate documents in front of an assessor’s office staff member. “We want to make this process as accessible and convenient as possible, so we will have employees at the Holbrook office Monday through Friday, Tuesdays in Show Low, the second and fourth Tuesdays in Heber/Overgaard, and throughout the county during the enrollment period,” said Darris. Area applicants can apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the assessor’s office at the Navajo County Complex in Holbrook. Personnel from the assessor’s office will also be available from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Holbrook Senior Citizens Center, located at 216 Joy Nevin Ave., from 1 to 2 p.m. that day at the Winslow Senior Citizens Center, located at 212 E. Second St., and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Silver Creek Senior Citizens Center, located at 1658 S. Main St. in Snowflake,. Those who have been previously approved for an exemption will have the renewal document sent to their last known address. Renewing applicants only have to sign and return the blue form. Eligible property owners over the age of 65 are encouraged to apply for the Senior Property Valuation Freeze during this time as well. There are several qualifying factors, and information on this program can be mailed or emailed upon request. The assessor’s staff is available to answer questions related to these benefits or application requirements by calling (928) 524-4087 during regular business hours or emailing marlene.sample@navajocountyaz.gov.
