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BWdem4life

(2,463 posts)
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 02:59 PM Mar 2024

Property Tax

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?

???

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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spooky3

(36,193 posts)
1. Because the taxing entity has no financial incentive to encourage
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 03:10 PM
Mar 2024

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

kimbutgar

(23,254 posts)
2. When I retire I plan on putting aside $1000 a month for my taxes and insurance
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 03:12 PM
Mar 2024

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.

BWdem4life

(2,463 posts)
8. Yes.
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 04:13 PM
Mar 2024

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

(18,641 posts)
4. Property taxes ae handled differently in each state and/or municipality.
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 03:21 PM
Mar 2024

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

(10,180 posts)
5. Differs by state. NC for example has little in the way of property tax relief for seniors
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 03:26 PM
Mar 2024

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

dweller

(25,036 posts)
7. In NC it varies by county
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 03:51 PM
Mar 2024

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


✌🏻

homegirl

(1,532 posts)
6. Question
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 03:42 PM
Mar 2024

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

BWdem4life

(2,463 posts)
9. Most likely if you google your county name
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 04:15 PM
Mar 2024

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

It differs greatly by state and county.

10. They don't know about this exemption because they didn't read their 1-page tax bill.
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 05:40 PM
Mar 2024

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

(10,138 posts)
11. In Illinois seniors have to be low income ( under $64,000)
Sun Mar 17, 2024, 06:42 PM
Mar 2024

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

Lars39

(26,232 posts)
13. Washington State has a property relief program...
Wed Mar 27, 2024, 02:29 PM
Mar 2024

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

(224 posts)
14. AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide
Mon Apr 1, 2024, 12:18 PM
Apr 2024
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.
Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Seniors»Property Tax