Annual Tax Abatement Compliance Process

If your business has an active tax abatement in Steuben County, Indiana, this is your annual reminder to complete the necessary compliance filings to maintain your deduction. Each year, businesses with approved abatements must submit and receive approval for the Compliance with Statement of Benefits (Form CF-1 / RE for real estate and Form CF-1 / PP for personal property) from the appropriate local governing body (city, town, or county council).

Key Filing Details:

• CF-1 Forms Must Be Approved First: If your abatement was granted by Steuben County, Angola, Ashley, Fremont, Hamilton, Hudson, or Orland, your CF-1 form(s) must first be approved by the respective council before attaching them to your application for deduction.
• Forms 322 / RE and 322 / VBD: These only need to be filed in the initial year of the abatement.
• Form 103 / ERA: Must be filed annually alongside your business's Form 103 (Tangible Business Personal Property Tax Return).
• Deadline for Local Approval: Plan to have your CF-1 forms approved by the appropriate local governing body on or before April 15th.
• Final Submission Deadline: All required forms must be submitted to the Steuben County Assessor’s Office by May 15th.

Important Notes:

• Ensure that all “As Estimated on SB-1” fields match the figures from your original Statement of Benefits (SB-1 Form).
• The "Number of Additional Employees" should reflect any difference from the estimated jobs at the time of the abatement approval.
• Follow the same process for reporting salaries and investment figures.

For any questions or assistance, please reach out to the local designating body, the County Assessor’s Office, or the Steuben County EDC. If you haven't scheduled a time for a site visit, please email us to coordinate a meeting.

By working together, we can ensure a smooth process for all stakeholders. Thank you for your attention to these requirements!