It's that time of year to send in tax assessment forms. Tucked inside ours was a notice of a new tax credit for senior citizens. It was passed in 2024, to take effect in 2025. Good to know. Or not...
Here's the deal. It sounds good, to help elderlies on fixed incomes so they are not hit with increasing taxes every year. But the way it is set to be implemented is a disgrace. I'm sure some Iron Man Ninja Warrior Olympic Decathlete came up with the plan.
See what you think. Our two-page insert outlined the following details:
Eligible seniors may apply for real estate tax credits beginning March 3, 2025
Must be 62 or older, own home, have current taxes paid in full
Bring photo ID, proof of residency, documents if home is in a trust or LLC
The homestead must be occupied as the primary residence
No commercial properties are eligible
Well. That all sounds perfectly reasonable. It's the implementation that raises a red flag.
How To Sign Up
Enrollment begins March 3 and ends May 30
You will need to apply IN PERSON at the county collector's office between 9:00-3:00
What Happens During Enrollment
We request that both spouses on the deed apply in-person. NOTE: Enrollment does not require an appointment. There will be crowds. To save time, we suggest you wait until the lines are shorter, after the first week or two of each enrollment month.
When you arrive at the collector's office you will be greeted and given a number along with a short application to complete. When the next enrollment station is ready, you will present your ID (and your trust agreement if property is in a trust) and then sign an affidavit declaring your homestead's address. After your eligibility has been confirmed, you will receive copies of the documents in a folder to keep for your permanent records.
Will I Need To Re-Apply Every Year?
Yes, taxpayers must re-apply for the Senior Citizen Tax Credit every year. The county will send current tax credit recipients a reminder notice each year by mail or by electronic means. You will not need to re-apply in person to renew. However, new applicants for 2025 and in future years mut apply in-person.
Who Do I Contact For More Information?
This is a new program which is subject to change. We may not be able to answer your questions before March 1, 2025, so instead of calling we suggest that you visit your website [redacted] which will be updated with the most recent information. After the ordinance has been adopted and enrollment opens you may contact the county collector at [redacted].
THOSE are the parts that concern me. This is a tax credit for OLD PEOPLE! There will be crowds of old people. I know many are perfectly spry and able to walk a distance from the parking lot to the second floor of the courthouse and stand in line with throngs of other old people, filling out forms while standing in line waiting for county government officials to process their paperwork.
VAL IS NOT ONE OF THOSE SPRY OLD PEOPLE!
That's our county courthouse. Sorry for the words showing through from the back side of our notice. Around on the back corner of the courthouse is a long ramp that goes from the corner of the building to the doors. There is an elevator (if it's working now) to the second floor. Parking is on the street, with perhaps two or three handicaps spaces, OR in a parking lot at the annex across the street.
Can you imagine all the elderlies hobbling along, trying to make it through the crosswalks without being mowed down by today's distracted drivers? Then standing inside for what might be hours, waiting to fill out forms for a tax credit? I'm sure it would be worthwhile if one is physically able to do so. Our property taxes just for our hillbilly mansion are over $1000 per year. I don't know how much credit would be given, if it's a percent, or based on income as well.
Just saying. This process was not thoroughly thought through! At least in my opinion.
They never think these policies out properly, you and Hick are able to do it but like you said, in general it will be a lot of folks that cannot. On another topic - I was on Reddit, and someone posted that they went dumpster diving, and found a scratcher that had not been claimed and got $75 from it! I thought, Val would never make the mistake of throwing her scratcher out!
ReplyDeleteHick will go try it, and ask how I'm supposed to get myself there if they deny him. If they could do curb-side voting for people at the other courthouse annex, which was just a short walk inside then tables to sit at, WHY can't they do curb-side application for this tax credit? I'd call and ask, but they have that notice about not calling!
DeleteWOW! That person was meant to get that $75. I always scan my winning AND losing tickets with the MOLottery phone app. That way I know if I've really won what I think I won. Also, I've missed a few crossword winners, as they require concentration to count the words. The most I've missed was a $10 winner.
We go to a Christmas party held in a gymnasium. There is ample parking where no one has to cross a street, just navigate the huge parking lot. Neither of us can walk the huge parking lot. We drove up to entrance. Tommy won't ask, so I do it for him--ask if someone can park the car. There are lots of people out there helping people. However, there cannot be enough. Two guys had to sort of lift Tommy up from curb. Someone else held his walker and gave it back to him.
ReplyDeleteInside was chaos. Imagine old people trying to navigate rows and rows of chairs. There is a place right inside the door of the gym designated for walker users and has no chairs. I sit with Tommy, so need a chair. One person insisted I could not sit with him since I had no walker!
Standing in line even with a walker could be problematic. I am glad I won't be in that crowd.
I am fortunate that Hick can drop me off at the door to most places. Not at the courthouse, though. I can't get on or off a curb without something to hold onto.
DeletePeople in charge need to think about the mobility of the group they are "helping!"