Seniors, Disabled Should Check Tax Relief Eligibility Soon

Chris D. Jackson, Chairman Pro-Tempore Lawrence County Commission

In a day and time where seniors continue to see the cost of their health care, prescription drugs and the general cost of living continue to rise, they need all the help they can get.

That is why it is vital for local seniors, as well as those who are disabled, to know about two tax relief programs here in Lawrence County that may help ease their financial burden. The programs are the property tax relief program and the solid waste fee relief program, both of which are made possible through funding by the county commission and state legislature.

In order to qualify for property tax relief, an individual must meet a number of income and other eligibility requirements. To qualify as elderly, the applicant must be 65 or older during the year in which you apply.

So, if you are applying for the relief of your 2017 taxes, you must have turned 65 before the end of 2017. To qualify as disabled, an applicant must have been rated totally and permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration before December 31, 2017.

The combined 2016 income of the applicant, the applicant’s spouse, and all other owners of the property cannot exceed $29,180 for either category. The maximum market value on which tax relief is calculated for seniors and the disabled will be on the first $27,000 of your primary residence. Further, disabled veterans and widows of disabled veterans may also qualify tax relief program so long as they meet certain other requirements set by the State.

Note that the income of the applicant’s spouse counts, regardless of whether the spouse is a co-owner on the property. That total includes but it is not limited to Social Security benefits (after Medicare is deducted), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Retirement or Pension benefits, Veterans' Administration benefits, Workers’ Compensation, Salaries or Wages, Interest or Dividends. 

If you feel that you may qualify for the property tax relief program, we strongly urge you to call or visit Trustee Kiley Weathers' office. He and his experienced staff will be more than happy to review the state-issued requirements, answer any questions you may have and enroll you in the program if you indeed qualify. If you end up being eligible for the property tax relief program, it is important to know that you will also be eligible for a solid waste fee reduction. The solid waste fee relief is available to all citizens so long as you meet certain requirements. You can contact the county's Accounts and Budgets office at (931) 766-1581 for more eligibility information on this program.

In the days and weeks to come, I hope you will share this important information with as many folks as possible within our community. Our goal in county government is to help as many people as possible. Programs like these help the least amongst us, so your help in educating the public is crucial. Thank you for your help!