The Chemung County Legislature voted at its May 13th meeting to increase the income limits for the senior citizen tax exemption for county taxpayers. This is the first increase to the income limits in over 20 years. The last time being in 1998.
Property owners 65 and older can get relief from their county property taxes, on a sliding scale basis, if they meet income guidelines.
To qualify, the person must be 65 or older, it must be their primary residents and they meet the following income levels:
Income: $16,500 or under – 50% exemption $16,501 – 17,500 – 45% exemption $17,501 – 18,500 – 40% exemption $18,501 – 19,500 – 35% exemption $19,501 – 20,400 – 30% exemption $20,401 – 21,300 – 25% exemption $21,301 – 22,200 – 20% exemption Over $22,200 – Not eligible
“This increase is long overdue. We need to help our elderly residents to have the ability to keep and stay in their homes that most have worked for all their lives for,” Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange said in his support of the increase. “It will cost the average taxpayer in Chemung County about $1 a year on their property tax bill, but will have a huge impact on those who need it, ” Strange said. “Most seniors who are eligible for this tax exemption are living at or near the poverty line and they deserve the dignity of home ownership in their later years.”
Residents must apply for the exemption at their town or city clerks office and provide proof of income. Contact your town or city clerk if you have any questions.