Fredericksburg Leader

Caroline County issued the following announcement on Sept. 22

Attention Homeowner:

This notice is being sent to raise awareness of the County’s Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief Program for real estate.  

The Board of Supervisors was contacted last month by a taxpayer who was not aware of the relief program. The Treasurer’s office provides this information on the back of the real estate tax bills. However, for those with a mortgage and escrow, their bills are sent directly to the mortgage company.   Therefore, the affected taxpayers do not receive a bill.  As an additional method of notification, the County proposed the mailing of an explanation letter and creation of an extension to apply for the 2021 tax year only. Prior tax years are not eligible for review.  All properties that may qualify for the program will receive this notice.

The emergency ordinance was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 14, 2021, allowing qualified taxpayers to apply for the Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief Program until November 14, 2021.  This is a 60-day filing extension for previously unaware taxpayers who missed the March 31st deadline for the 2021 tax year.

To be eligible for this program in 2021, you must meet the following criteria:

1. The total combined income during the immediately preceding calendar year from all sources of the owner(s) of the dwelling and of all others living in the dwelling cannot exceed $40,000.  The first $6,500 of income from others living in the dwelling will be exempted, excluding the spouse.
2. The combined financial worth, including equitable interests of the immediately preceding calendar year of the owner and of the spouse of the owner, excluding the value of the dwelling and up to ten acres of land, cannot exceed $85,000.
3. The owner must be at least 65 years of age and/or permanently or totally disabled and principal residence must be in Caroline County.

Mobile home owners on real estate or in a mobile home park are also eligible.

The total real estate tax exemption allowed by Caroline County code is $1,000.

Before applying, please contact the Commissioner of Revenue’s office at (804) 633-9834 or by email to Erica McCarty to discuss what documentation is required.

Original source can be found here.