Property Tax

[BWdem4life]

Note: It took me awhile to actually find this forum. I wasn't expecting it to be classified as a "Support Forum" - I thought, "Issue? no.... Alliance? No... um, Culture?"

Anyway... I guess I'm technically a senior at age 55, but it's the people 62 and up that I'm concerned with here. Because, I've been doing their taxes this year. And, just in my one small office that has so far handled perhaps 20 senior tax returns this year, I have had at least three who are still paying property taxes on their homes - and it's their biggest expense, here in Seattle where those taxes are often $7,000 or more. Meanwhile they are on a fixed income - Social Security is more than half of it, and somehow they have been completely unaware that due to their age and income, they qualify for an exemption from those taxes. In all three cases, they've been eligible for several years for the exemption - in the most extreme case, she was in her eighties.

Why is this such an apparent secret? Is there no outreach occurring? What could be done to better inform them, and why is it not already being done?

???

[spooky3]

1. Because the taxing entity has no financial incentive to encourage

people to pay less in RE taxes? I’m glad you are looking out for your clients.

[kimbutgar]

2. When I retire I plan on putting aside $1000 a month for my taxes and insurance

I’m delaying my retirement to when my home is paid off which is in about a year and a half and then will also apply for social security at 70.

When I paid off my car I continued savings those car payments every month into an account that deducted that amount into my savings.

[pwb]

3. The Standard deduction is

often more than Seniors can itemize.

[BWdem4life]

8. Yes.

So the property taxes don’t even help them reduce their taxable income. But they show up with it, and charitable contributions that also don’t help.

[ShazzieB]

4. Property taxes ae handled differently in each state and/or municipality.

To get a definitive answer to this, you'd probably need to contact the taxing body in question.

But like spooky3 said, that entity doesn't have an incentive to encourage people to pay less tax.

I think there may be laws in some places to notify seniors of their rights. But don't quote me on that; my husband and I haven't owned real estate since the 1980s (long story)!

[CousinIT]

5. Differs by state. NC for example has little in the way of property tax relief for seniors

One option is just a bait and switch, mostly, while one other has income limits.

[dweller]

7. In NC it varies by county

I think . I know in Wake and Chatham it is reduced for seniors. My dad was in Wake , I’m in Chatham


✌🏻

[homegirl]

6. Question

You are reporting on Washington state, does this exemption apply in other states, if so, where can the information be accessed?

[BWdem4life]

9. Most likely if you google your county name

And “property tax relief” or “property tax exemption”

It differs greatly by state and county.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

10. They don't know about this exemption because they didn't read their 1-page tax bill.

I'm looking at my 2024 WA state property tax bill and on the back is a set of 5 notes. The top one starts (in bold font):

Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities: It says you may be eligible for an exemption and to contact the assessors office.

The second note (again in bold) says:

Limited Income: It says you may be eligible for a deferral and to contact the assessors office.

However, you don't HAVE to contact the assessors office, because if you just Google "WA state property tax seniors" or "WA state property tax limited income", you get all the details.

WA state is already doing all they need to do. This is one of those "leading a horse to water, but not being able to get them to drink" deals.

[questionseverything]

11. In Illinois seniors have to be low income ( under $64,000)

We get $6,000 off the evaluation and the evaluation freezes

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. $64,000 is low income?

I wish my income were that low.

[Lars39]

13. Washington State has a property relief program...

Go to the top and to each county and complain!

The website has a “how are we doing” survey button. Each county is also probably responsible for outreach also.
https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/property-tax/property-tax-exemptions-and-deferrals

[jxla]

14. AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide

https://ptaconsumers.aarpfoundation.org/

AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide is a free resource that helps homeowners and renters more easily find, understand, and apply for property tax relief.