The DeKalb County Trustee’s office mailed out the 2009 DeKalb County property tax statements Wednesday
DeKalb County Trustee Sean Driver says tax payers have until February 27th, 2010 to pay their tax bill but if you pay in either October or November, you’ll get a discount. “We have prepared tax cards, we mailed those September 30th, and today we are in collection mode. We are preparing to get ready for all you who want to come in and pay. Of course, we are collecting today but the last day to pay is February 27th, 2010. That falls on a Saturday and our office will be open all day that day until 4:30 p.m. We are offering discounts this year, as passed by resolution of the county commission. We are offering a 2% discount through the last day of October and a 1% discount if you pay in November. That resolution (establishing the discounts) was passed after the county budgets were approved so the resolution (notice about the discounts) didn’t get printed on your (tax notice) card to say that discounts will be offered but we want you to take advantage of this if at all possible.”
Seniors, be sure to check with the office on the state property tax relief program. The income limit is $25,360 for single or combined household incomes.
Trustee Driver says Tennessee’s tax relief program is state-funded and provides a rebate of credit for all or a portion of the property taxes on residential property owned and occupied by low-income elderly, low-income disabled, and disabled veteran homeowners and their surviving spouses. “In order for the elderly to apply for tax relief, you must be age 65 on or before December 31st, 2009 to meet the elderly requirements. To be a disabled applicant, you must be 100% disabled as deemed by the Social Security Administration or some administration thereof. Disabled veterans can get a tax relief as well. They do not have to report their income but they have to be 100% disabled as deemed by the Veterans Administration. We can sign you up now through April 5th, 2010. Remember, whenever you get ready to pay your taxes, the taxes must be paid in full before we can ever submit your application to the state (for property tax relief).This year the income limit to apply, using your 2008 income including income from all owners, is $25,360. That’s using all sources of income in 2008. You will be applying for 2009 tax relief using 2008 income.”
Driver says the law now requires applicants to include their spouses income when seeking state property tax relief. “This is a state property tax relief program through the State of Tennessee and this year, under new legislation passed by the state, if you are legally married and your spouse’s name is not on the deed, you are still required to submit your spouse’s 2008 income. In the past you did not have to do that but now if your spouse’s name is not on the deed, whether living with you or not living with you, you are required this year to submit your spouse’s income.”
Driver adds that all applicants approved for state property tax relief will get a little extra relief thanks to recent action by the county commission. “We have gone to the county commission and proposed that all applicants that are state approved will get an extra $50 off of their tax bill. This year all applicants are getting $91 off along with an extra $50 off for a total of $141. And if you pay in October or November you will get the one or two percent discount as well.”
Property Tax Relief Eligibility requirements for Elderly Homeowners are as follows:
Must be 65 or older on or before December 31st, 2009
Must provide evidence of age (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license)
Must own and use the property on which you are applying as your primary residence
Qualified applicants will receive property tax relief on the first $25,000 of their property’s market value.
According to the deed of the property, Must have records of the combined 2008 income of all owners of the property not exceeding $25,360. Income (i.e. social security, SSI pension, etc)
Eligibility requirements for Disabled Homeowners are as follows:
Must have been totally and permanently disabled as rated by the Social Security Administration or any other qualified agency on or before December 31st, 2009
Must provide evidence of age (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage license)
Must own and use the property on which you are applying as your primary residence
Must have records of the combined 2008 income of all owners of the property not exceeding $25,360
Eligibility requirements for Disabled Veteran Homeowners and/or widow or widower:
Must own and use the property on which you are applying as your primary residence.
Your disability must meet one of the following categories:
A service-connected disability that resulted in (1) Paraplegia, (2) Permanent paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body resulting from traumatic injury or disease to the spinal cord or brain, (3) Loss or loss of use of, two or more limbs, and (4) Legal blindness.
A total and permanent disability rating from a service-connected disability
A 100% total and permanent disability rating from being a prisoner of war.
The Veteran’s Administration Office determines eligibility from the applicant’s information in the Trustee’s Office forwarded to the State of Tennessee.
If you meet these requirements you may apply in the Trustee’s Office as soon as you receive your property tax bill. The deadline to apply is 35 days after February 27th, 2010 or April 5th, 2010.
If you have any additional questions concerning the tax relief program, come by the Trustee’s office in the courthouse or call 597-5176.
Archived News & Obituaries