Clark Hall’s Tax Problem

I reported a few weeks back that Democratic Speaker Robert Moore was claiming a homestead credit for his home in Little Rock rather than in the district in which he lives.  And now — according to a press release from the Gary Latanich for Congress Campaign — his opponent, State Rep. Clark Hall, has his own homestead credit problems.

Hall’s problem may be worse than Moore’s because it appears he is not only claiming a homestead outside his district, but he is claiming it in two places.

The release claims that Hall has illegally been taking two homestead exemptions for nearly a decade – one in Lonoke County and another in his home county – Phillips. Since purchasing a property in Lonoke County in 2004, the Hall’s have illegally doubled up on their homestead exemption and owe the state at least $2,300 for seven years worth of doubling up on their exemption.

According to records from both counties, they are correct.  Clark owns homes listed in his wife’s name at 302 Elm St in Marvell, where they claim the homestead credit, and at 29 Sunset Loop in Lonoke, where they also claim the credit.

Arkansas law states that only one homestead per property owner is eligible to receive the tax credit on their principal place of residence.

Hall also owns a condo in Little Rock in his wife’s name for which he does not claim a homestead credit.

“At a time when elected officials are being criticized for actions that are questionable, if not unethical, it’s disappointing to see that Clark Hall has abused the Homestead tax provision and, once again, the people’s trust.” said Latanich in his press release.

“This was an oversight that will be corrected,” said Forest Boles, a spokesperson for Hall’s Campaign. When asked if this means Hall will pay any back taxes, Boles replied “He will pay any taxes that he owes.”