Assessor Offering Assistance For Qualified Tax Relief Filers

By John Voket

Newtown Assessor Tom DeNoto is probably even more sensitive to tax hikes than the residents who have to pay the bills. That is because he believes many residents who might qualify for several local and state tax relief programs may not be taking advantage of the opportunity to save a few of those hard-earned bucks.

To that end, Mr DeNoto’s office will be offering assistance during normal business hours at the assessor’s office in Edmond Town Hall, as well as six workshops at the Newtown Senior Center where his employees will be available to help residents determine if they qualify, the programs they may qualify for, and the big payoff — the amount of money they can save simply by applying for the benefit.

“This doesn’t mean people are getting away with something, and it doesn’t suggest they don’t have the ability to pay,” Mr DeNoto told The Bee this week. “It shouldn’t be looked upon with any more concern than using a department store rebate or a grocery coupon, although the savings can add up to a lot more than a dollar or two.”

Expanding on a successful daylong program his office held last year in conjunction with the Newtown tax collector, Mr DeNoto is expanding the assistance workshops to six, and spreading them out between February 13 and April 10. All six sessions will be held at the Senior Center. Interested taxpayers must, however, file all applications by May 15, 2006.

Personnel from both town offices will be on hand to guide residents through the process of qualifying for and applying for homeowners, renters, the disabled, seniors, and veterans benefits.

“I think a lot of property owners just assume they don’t qualify because they live in Newtown,” Mr DeNoto said in a previous interview on the subject. He pointed out that property owners who reside in a mobile home, for instance, may easily qualify for renter’s tax relief because they are renting the space their home is on.

According to Tax Collector Carol Mahoney, there may be dozens more eligible homeowners, renters, or others in Newtown than those who are reapplying because they already know they qualify for the maximum allowable tax relief. Ms Mahoney said there are statistics supporting the likelihood there are a greater number of eligible candidates than are already taking advantage of the benefits.

Mr DeNoto advises that anyone having a 2005 IRS tax return prepared, to bring that information with their 2005 Social Security SSA-1099 form.

“If the resident will not have a tax return prepared, they should bring in all 2005 annual 1099 income reporting information and their 2005 SSA-1099 form from Social Security,” he said. “We will make all necessary copies and fill out the form. Residents do not have to personally appear to receive this benefit; they can have a relative or duly authorized agent bring the information in and sign for them.”

This year’s homeowners program 2005 income limit is total combined $33,900 for a married couple and $27,700 for a single individual. The Local Option Veteran’s program 2005 income limit has a total combined $45,000 for a married couple and $41,200 for a single individual.

Qualified applicants for the veteran’s program will receive a $10,000 assessment reduction from their real estate assessment before taxes are calculated for the July tax bill.

Anyone who is not reapplying because they have gone over the income limit should consider the town tax collector’s program that has 2005 income limits of $60,000 for an $825 benefit and $40,000 for a $1,385 benefit, Mr DeNoto added.

Anyone needing assistance can come into the assessor’s office Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4 pm, or go to any of the workshops being held at the Senior Center from 2 pm to 4 pm February 13 and 27, March 13 and 27, or April 3 and 10.