Seniors May Apply For Tax Relief

Newtown Tax Collector Carol Mahoney has announced that senior citizens may apply for the Newtown Benefit Tax Relief at the old court room at the Edmond Town Hall on Wednesday, April 7, Wednesday, April 22, Thursday, April 23, and Wednesday, May 12, 8 am to noon and 1 to 4 pm.

The last date to file is May 14.

To qualify for this benefit:

The taxpayer or the spouse must be at least 65 years of age or over as of July 1 or the spouse of a taxpayer who would have been qualified at the time of death must be over the age of 60.

The applicant must have resided and paid real estate taxes on a residence located in Newtown for at least one year prior to this application

The property for which the taxpayer is claiming tax relief must be the applicant’s legal domicile and occupied by that person for more than 183 days each year.

Income from all sources including social security must not exceed $55,000 to qualify for the $700 credit and $35,000 to qualify for the $1,182 credit.

Delinquent taxes must be paid in full before qualifying for this benefit.

After considering state benefits granted, the person must pay 25 percent of his or her normal tax bill in order to receive the full benefit.

The tax credit on real estate property shall apply to the residence itself and the lot on which the residence is located, not to extra acreage owned.

Include a copy of your Federal Income Tax Return for the 2003 tax year, if you are required to file one. Also include a copy of your social security 1099s statement for 2003 and all other 1099s from all sources of income including interest, annuities, pensions, rental income, etc.

If you have any questions, call the tax collector’s office at 270-4320.