COMMUNITY HOUSING RESOURCE BOARD

Housing Info Line

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11/26/02

Update: Property Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled

This State tax relief program is limited to:

• owners over 65 years with maximum annual income of $12,210 per household
• 100% disabled vets of any age or income if disability is combat or prisoner-of-war related
• 100% disabled persons ( Social Security) of any age earning less than $12,210

Call the City at 757-5191 with questions. You can apply for both City and County tax relief at either government office. At City Hall, see Martha in the Treasurer's Office; Hamilton County takes applications at the Courthouse or at new offices on Bonnie Oaks. Apply only between October and March of any year, after tax bills are issued.

Everyone Pays Taxes!

This state program is not an exemption. Owners who meet requirements must pay the full amount of taxes for the first year they apply. They will be reimbursed $113 for City taxes and $137 for County taxes in about 8 weeks. Thereafter their application for relief is automatically filed and they pay only the reduced amount. The total amount of relief is the same for everyone and never exceeds $250 for people owing both City and County taxes.

If Children's Names are on the Deed...

Anyone on the deed is considered an "owner"; their income will be added into the household income, which could exceed the $12,210 maximum for tax relief. For example, a widow may have added the names of her children to her deed, and the addition of their income may make her ineligible for relief.

To get around this, ask Legal Services (756-0128) or any real estate or title attorney for a Life Estate Agreement which reserves ownership of the home for the parent (if a widow or widower) until death. This agreement is written into the deed and allows the tax office to count only the income of the parent when determining eligibility for relief.