Both the Town of Vienna and Fairfax County offer real estate tax relief for low-income homeowners who are 65 years old and over, or permanently and totally disabled. To qualify, the following requirements must be met:
*Total household income of $72,000 or less. This amount excludes $6,500 of income of relatives, other than the spouse, who reside in the household. Also excluded is $7,500 of any income received by a disabled homeowner. 100 percent tax relief is given for total combined income of $52,000 or less, 50 percent tax relief between $52,001 and $62,000, and 25 percent tax relief between $62,001 and $72,000.
*Total combined assets of no more than $340,000. This amount excludes the value of the residence, up to one acre of land, and household furnishings.
*Disabled persons applying for the first time must show evidence of disability.
In addition to real estate tax relief, Fairfax County provides rental grants and relief from personal property tax for one automobile per household.
Applications for 2014 for all programs are due April 1. This date may be extended to December 31 of this year for first-time filers or if hardship conditions exist which, through no fault of the applicant, prohibit applying by April 1.
For more information and to obtain Town application forms, call 703-255-6325. For County applications, call 703-222-8234. Applications and information can also be found at www.viennava.gov and www.fairfaxcounty.gov.