Trustee: Property tax relief available

Unicoi County Trustee Paul Berry recently announced that funding for the state’s property tax relief program for low-income, elderly, disabled, disabled veterans and widows of disabled veteran homeowners is available.
According to a press release from Berry’s office, elderly homeowners and their spouses, age 65 or older, and any co-owners who have a combined income of $28,270 or less, may qualify for property tax relief.
Also, disabled homeowners and their spouses and any co-owners who have a combined income of $28,270 or less may qualify for property tax relief. There is no age limit for disabled homeowners.
Qualified applicants will receive property tax relief on the first $25,000 of their property’s market value, the press release said.
Disabled veteran homeowners will receive property tax relief on the first $175,000 of market value. There is no income limit for disabled veterans to qualify. The guidelines have been expanded to include disabled veterans whose disabilities are service connected, the press release said. Additionally, the guidelines have been expanded to include a surviving spouse of a deceased soldier if the soldier’s death resulted from being deployed, away from any home base of training, and in support of combat operations.
Tennessee’s tax relief program is a state-funded program that provides a rebate or 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, Berry’s office reported.
To apply for the property tax relief program or if you have additional questions concerning the program, contact Berry’s office at 743-3011. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. During January and February, the office is also open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until noon.
The Comptroller of the Treasury, Division of Property Assessments, administers the program at the state level with the assistance of the county trustee’s office and the local city recorder.
Additional information can be obtained on the comptroller’s website at www.comptroller.state.tn.us/pa/patxr.htm.