Sussex County has made key adjustments to tax breaks for low-income seniors and non-veterans with disabilities in response to the sharp increase in property assessments following a recent countywide revaluation.
The changes, approved on March 25th by the Sussex County Council, aim to ensure that those currently eligible for tax relief continue to qualify under the new system.
Key Changes to Tax Breaks
The property revaluation significantly increased the total value of county properties—up to 20 times since the last assessment in 1973.
To address these changes, the county updated its tax relief programs with the following adjustments for low income seniors and non-veterans with disabilities:
- Residency Requirement: Homeowners must now have lived in their residence for at least five years (previously three) to qualify.
- Income Adjustments for Non-Veteran Disability Program:
- Single applicants: Limit increased from $3,500 to $6,000.
- Married applicants: Limit increased from $6,500 to $7,500.
- Social Security benefits, railroad retirement benefits, and pension benefits from disabilities are excluded from income calculations.
- Taxable Assessment Deduction:
- Previously, a deduction of $12,500 was applied to qualifying properties.
- Under the new reassessment, the deduction is adjusted to $229,000 to maintain similar tax relief levels.
Maintaining Fairness in Taxation
Sussex County Finance Director, Gina Jennings, emphasized that the goal of these changes is to ensure fairness.
“Essentially, the goal of both ordinances is just to make sure that everybody who qualifies for the programs today qualifies for them tomorrow when the reassessment takes effect,” she explained.
Additionally, these changes do not affect tax breaks for property owners enrolled in the state’s 65 Program or the disabled veterans program, both of which provide school tax deductions.
Council Approval and Public Response
During the public hearing, no objections were raised, and the Sussex County Council unanimously approved the new tax relief measures.
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Source: Cape Gazette