Fairfax County: Real Estate Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Residents

If you are over the age of 65 or permanently disabled, Fairfax County has a Real Estate Tax program that will reduce the amount of taxes that you are required to pay on your residence.

Annually, this program  helps approximately 8,000 residents save around $24 Million in property taxes!

If you are a first time applicant, the deadline for filing your application is December 31 of the year you are requesting relief.  If you are a returning applicant, your filing time is from January 1 through April 1. 

There are exceptions for extending your filing time.  If you are a first time filer or suffered a hardship and did not file for 2010, you will have until December 31, 2011 to file. 

Here are the requirements that must be met to file for the real estate tax relief.

·        The home must be your permanent residence...vacation homes do not qualify.

·        For age relief, your minimum age must be 65.  If you are married, and you and your spouse own the home jointly, either you or your spouse must be at least 65.

·        For disability relief, you must be totally and permanently disabled.  If you are married and own the home jointly, either you or your spouse must be totally and permanently disabled.

·        Combined income for anyone, including you, your spouse, and any relatives that resides in the house must not exceed $72,000.  With the exception of your spouse, any relative who resides with you may deduct $6,500 from reported gross income.  However, if you are disabled, any relative who resides with you, with the exception of  your spouse, may deduct $7,500 from reported gross income.

·        Combined net assets of residents of the home including any homeowner and any homeowner's spouse (not including the home value, one acre of land and all furnishings) must not exceed $340,000.

·        If the property was jointly owned, and the co-owner is deceased, you must provide a copy of the death certificate.

If you meet these qualifications, here is the amount of your tax relief:

If you need an application to apply for the Tax Relief program, please call 703-222-8234; if you have impaired hearing please call 703-222-7594.

I am Jeff Wu and I can assist you with all of your real estate needs in Tysons Corner, McLean, Vienna, or anywhere in Fairfax County.    If you are planning on selling your house or purchasing a home, please contact me at Agent Knows Homes.