By Lookout  Staff

April 21, 2015 -- Residents in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will once again begin receiving forms that allow homeowners age 65 an older to apply for an exemption from the district’s annual property tax levy.

As they do every year, district officials began mailing applications for the Measure R Senior Exemption for 2015-16.

Applications went out last week.

Measure R, approved by voters in 2008, is a $346 a year parcel tax on homeowners in the district. It has no sunset provision and annually generates about $11 million for the SMMUSD’s programs and staffing.

The measure included a provision that allows seniors 65 an older to apply each year for an exemption. To qualify, the homeowner must be age 65 by June 30 of this year, the district said.

Qualifying applicants must own and occupy their property as their principal residence.

Seniors who previously applied for an exemption will receive a renewal form, which must be completed, signed and returned by June 30. Qualifying seniors who don’t receive the renewal form by May 1 should call 310-450-8338, Ext. 70263.

First-time applicants can call the same number to request an application be mailed to them. First-time applications also are available at http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/senior_exempt.html.