Q. What is the E-mandate?

A. The E-mandate, or electronic filing requirement, went into effect on October 1, 2021. All applications for the Homestead Deduction, the Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief, or requests for Cancellation of Benefits are required to be filed electronically via MyTax.DC.gov.

Q. I can’t file online. How do I request a paper Homestead Deduction or Senior Citizen/Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief application, a paper Cancellation of Benefits form, and/or apply for an E-mandate waiver?

A. Paper applications and E-mandate waivers can be requested by contacting our Customer Service Administration at 202-727-4829. Upon approval of the waiver request, a paper application will be mailed within 3-5 business days.

Q. How do I apply online for the Homestead Deduction, Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief, request Cancellation of Benefits, and/or submit a Benefit Appeal?

A. Please visit MyTax.DC.gov for the relevant submission form and information. You do not need to log in. Instead, follow the steps below:

• Scroll down to the “Real Property” section and click “Search Real Property by Address or SSL.”
• Enter the Square, Suffix, and Lot (SSL) number or Property Address, then click “Search.”
• Under “Search Results,” click the SSL number hyperlink.
• Click “Applications and Actions.”
• Homestead Deduction and Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief: Within the “Homestead Applications” section, click Submit an Application for Homestead Deduction (Including Senior/Disabled Tax Relief): ASD-100.
• Cancellation of Benefits: Within the “Homestead Applications” section, click Submit a Cancellation of Homestead/Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction or Senior/Disabled Tax Relief: ASD-105.
• Benefit Appeal: Within the “Appeal Applications” section, click Submit a Benefit Appeal Application.
• Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete your selected submission.

Q. Why is the system not accepting my square and lot?

A. You may be unable to apply for the Homestead Deduction online because the square and lot identifier for your property is not on the tax roll. For new square and lot numbers, the tax roll can take up to six months to update. You may check back online periodically for updates and to apply for the Homestead/Senior Citizen/Disabled Benefit. If you are using a retired square and lot, you should determine the current square and lot number for your property.

Q. Why didn’t I receive an email confirmation?

A. It is possible that an incorrect email address was entered. Please contact us through MyTax.DC.gov providing your Square, Suffix, and Lot (SSL) number, and the date of your online submission. To submit a previously submitted application inquiry, please visit MyTax.DC.gov. You do not need to log in. Please:

• Scroll down to the “Real Property” section and click on “Send a Message to the Agency.”
• Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete the selected submission.

Q. How will I know if my application was submitted successfully?

A. You will receive an email confirmation and a reference number confirming receipt of your submitted application. Please allow up to 30 days for your submission to be reviewed and for a decision to be issued. Once we complete the application review, you will receive an official letter via USPS to inform you of the outcome of your request, indicating granting or denial of benefits, or if the application is in hold status.

Q. Can I print a copy of the electronic application submission?

A. No, this feature is currently unavailable. However, the confirmation number that you receive after submitting the application can be used to verify the submission and receipt of the form.

Q. How long will it take to receive a decision on my Homestead Deduction or Senior Citizen/Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief application, and/or my Benefit Appeal?

A. Online Homestead Deduction and Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief applications are processed within 30 days. If a waiver is granted for a paper Homestead application submission, the paper application will be processed within 90 days from the date it is received by our Homestead Unit. Benefit Appeal applications are processed within 60 days.

* Remember when submitting a Benefit Appeal to attach your supporting documentation to your appeal request.

Q. How will I be notified that my application or Benefit Appeal has been processed?

A. A decision letter on the application or appeal will be mailed via USPS to the mailing address on file.

Q. If my application is approved, which half of the tax year will the benefit apply?

A. If an approved application is filed from October 1 to March 31, the property will receive the benefit for the entire tax year. If an approved application is filed from April 1 to September 30, the property will receive the benefit for the second half of the tax year only, and the benefit will be reflected on the second half tax bill. The Homestead Deduction or Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief begins with the period for which the application is granted.

Q. Can the Homestead Deduction or Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief be retroactively granted to the property?

A. No, your property will receive these benefits starting with the tax half for which the application is granted. You cannot obtain the benefits for prior periods, even if you are otherwise qualified.

Q. Can my Homestead Deduction or Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief be transferred from my old property to my new property?

A. No, the Homestead Deduction or the Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief cannot be transferred from one property to another. It must be cancelled on the old property by submitting an online Cancellation of Benefits form. A new online application must be submitted for the new property.

Q. How can I apply for a Penalty and Interest Waiver?

A. Prior to submitting your online waiver request for consideration, all outstanding balances owed must be paid. Please visit MyTax.DC.gov for the applicable submission and information. You do not need to log in. Instead:

• Scroll down to the “Real Property” section and click “Search Real Property by Address or SSL.”
• Enter the SSL number or Property Address, then click “Search.”
• Under “Search Results,” click the SSL number hyperlink.
• Click “Applications and Actions.”
• Under the “Waiver and Rebates” section, click on “Request a Waiver of Real Property Penalty and Interest.”
• Follow the step-by-step instructions to complete your selected submission.

Q. What does “domicile” mean and why is it important?

A. The Homestead Deduction and Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief are available only to individuals who are domiciled in the District. The term “domicile” means an individual’s true permanent home or habitation, without any fixed or definite intent of abandoning it now or in the future, and to which the individual has the present intention of returning after any absence regardless of length.

Q. What are the steps I should take to establish domicile in DC?

A. To establish District domicile, the District must be your permanent home. Actions to establish domicile include obtaining a District driver’s license/identification card, registering your vehicle in the District, and registering to vote in the District. You should also file District and federal income tax returns using the address of the residence for which the Homestead Deduction or Senior Citizen/Disabled Tax Relief is being sought.