Basic Star

1. You must own the property and it must be your primary residence
2. No age limitations
3. No income limitations
4. Applications must be filed at the Elma Assessor's office by May 1st of current year
5. One time filing


Senior Exemption

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXEMPTION, THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET:

1. The owner, or if the residence is owned by more than one person, all of the owners (except in the case of a spouse), must be 65 years of age or older as of December 31, in the year of filing.

When the property is owned jointly by husband and wife, only one spouse is required to be 65 years of age or older.

2. The property must be used exclusively for residential purposes and must be occupied in whole or part by the owner(s) and must be their legal residence.

3. Title to the property must be vested in the owner of the property prior to the date of application. Property must be owned at least one year prior to May 1st in any given year.

4. The law specifies that income includes: Social Security and Retirement Benefits, Interest, Dividends, Net Rental Income, Salary of earnings and Net Income if self-employed. The income reported is for a twelve (12) month period., for which the owner(s) filed a Federal Income Tax Return. Or, if no such return is filed, the income for the calendar year preceding the date of filing. Income must include the income of both husband and wife or all property owners.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU WHEN APPLYING FOR PARTIAL TAX EXEMPTION REAL PROPERTY OF AGED PERSONS.

1. NOTICE - You must bring your SOCIAL SECURITY 1099 FORM with you that you received early in January. THIS IS A MUST.
2. A copy of your Income Tax Form, if one was filed, signed by the person making out the form.
3. Salary, wages, bonuses, total dividends, gains from sales or exchanges and all taxable annuity payments.
4. ALL BANK INTEREST FORMS 1099-INT that were mailed to you in January. All interest on Non-Taxable State and Local Bonds and interest only on IRA accounts (not the original amount) must also be included.
5. The total amount received from Government or Private Retirement Pension Plans.
6. Rentals, business and professional (including amounts claimed as depreciation for income tax purposes), net earnings from farming.
7. Unemployment Insurance Payments, Disability Payments, Workmen's Compensation Payments.
8. Alimony or support money and any other income.

IF YOU ARE FILING FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU MUST ALSO BRING YOUR DEED AND PROOF OF AGE AND INCOME.

NOTE: Income limits may change subject to Real Property Tax Law. Currently, for 2003, if your income is over $29,900 you do not qualify for a senior exemption. The percent of exemption will change depending on one's income. For all income limits please contact the Assessors Office at 652-3260.