If you go
Upcoming application sessions are set for:› Dec. 3-4 at the Avondale YFD Center, 1305 Dodson Ave.› Dec. 10-12 at Washington Hills YFD,4628 Oakwood Drive› Dec. 17-18 at South Chattanooga YFD, 1151 W. 40th. St.Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all locations.
Bill and Virginia Weldon sat with a stack of paperwork in front of them Thursday at the Shepherd Youth and Family Development Center, figuring out with city employee Karen Murphy whether they qualify for Chattanooga's senior tax freeze.
After both Chattanooga and Hamilton County raised property taxes last year the Weldons, both 78 and retired, said they were looking to save whatever they could. They won't know until later whether they qualify, but either way "it's wonderful," Virginia Weldon said.
"We're so thankful if we get it, or if not, we're so thankful for those who can get it," she said.
This is the second year for the city's tax freeze program for low-income seniors. Several city community centers are hosting sessions through which seniors can apply for the freeze or other benefits, including assistance with city water quality fees that appear on property tax bills.
"We're basically trying to get folks more interested in the tax relief," said Murphy, a tax relief specialist in the city treasurer's office. "With all the taxes going up, seniors just don't have it."
The tax freeze will keep qualifying homeowners' city property tax bills from rising as long as they qualify. Eligible homeowners must be age 65 or older, live in a home in Chattanooga and have a combined income of less than $38,840 a year.
The city also helps seniors and the disabled, fully disabled veterans, and those veterans' surviving spouses sign up for a separate state tax relief program that will rebate part of their property taxes. Seniors age 65 and older whose incomes are no higher than $29,270 are eligible. Fully disabled veterans and their widows or widowers qualify regardless of income. The state tax relief program is available to Hamilton County taxpayers as well.
And, starting this year, Chattanooga residents who qualify for the city tax freeze or state tax relief also can get help paying their Chattanooga water quality program fees. The annual fees are attached to city property tax bills.
Earlier this year, the city raised the fees to help pay for required water quality programs, but also set aside money to offset the costs for low-income seniors.
The application sessions will continue at various locations in the city through the end of February. Applications must be filed by April 5, 2019.
To learn more about applying for tax or fee relief, call the city treasurer's office at 423-643-7262 or visit www.chattanooga.gov.
Contact staff writer Judy Walton at jwalton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6416.