Department of Social Services is coordinating the City of Suffolk Real Estate Tax Relief for Disabled/Senior Citizens 
The Department of Social Services is coordinating the City of Suffolk Real Estate Tax Relief for Disabled or Senior Citizens for the 2010-2011 tax year. This program is income-based for individuals 65 years of age or older or totally disabled.
Tax relief is granted on an annual basis and a new application or certification must be filed each year. To be eligible for the program, one must apply after January 1st each year with the final deadline for application set on June 30th. If you are eligible, relief will be applied to your real estate bills due on December 5th and June 5th of the following year.
Basic requirements for this program are:
- Must be 65 years of age or older or permanently and totally disabled. The owner whose name appears on the property deed must be at least 65 years of age on or before June 30th of the year in which the application is made; the spouse may be under the age of 65. There is no age requirement for disabled citizens, but proof will need to be established.
- Must be owners or partial owners and must occupy the property to be exempted.
- Combined gross income of owners and any relatives living in the property cannot exceed $54,242 (the first $10,000 of a relative’s income is exempted).
- Net worth, exclusive of the home and up to 10 acres upon which it is situated, cannot exceed $243,101.
- Applications must be filed no later than June 30th of the taxable year.
The percentage of tax relief allowed is based on the combined income of the owner(s) and any relatives living in the property (excluding up to $10,000 per relative living in the dwelling).
Examples of income include wages, Social Security, annuities, pensions, disability income, interest, dividends, business income, farm income, income from rental property, and income from roomers and boarders.
Also, the applicant’s net worth cannot exceed $243,101. The applicant’s home and up to 10 acres upon which the house is situated is not counted in the applicant’s net worth. Examples of resources include real estate other than the residence, bank accounts, trusts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, cash value of life insurance policies, and the value of personal property such as automobiles.
To apply, call the Department of Social Services at 514-4870 to discuss the application or recertification process. Applicants can also e-mail the department at taxrelief@city.suffolk.va.us requesting follow up. The applicant must supply documentation about his/her income and resources and must sign an affidavit confirming the accuracy of all the information.
Address/Location
City of Suffolk, VA
441 Market St
Suffolk, VA 23434
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 757-514-4000