The deadline to appeal 2024 property tax valuations has passed, and technically, so has the deadline for qualified homeowners to try to get some relief from those tax bills, due before Jan. 6, 2025 to avoid a 2 percent interest penalty.

June 1 was the deadline to appeal – and apparently to apply for the three programs listed on the Vance County Tax Office website, according to Vance County Deputy Tax Assessor Jennifer Williams.

“After that date, the Tax Office cannot approve or deny any applications, but citizens can appeal their late applications to the Board (of Commissioners) up until the end of the calendar year for which they are applying,” Williams explained in a response to a question sent via email to the tax office late last week.

Commissioners Chair Dan Brummitt said that, to his knowledge, the board has “never denied a senior, veteran, exemption. Folks don’t always see the dates, so we try to work with people,” Brummitt told WIZS News.

The 2024 tax bills were sent out in late August, following the most recent property revaluation required by the state to be completed at least every eight years. The last property revaluation in Vance County was completed in 2016. Some property owners have seen a significant increase over last year’s bill, and the county wants to make sure that eligible homeowners know about the three programs offered.

Below are details of those programs:

• Elderly or disabled exclusion – this program is for homeowners at least 65 years old or who are totally or permanently disabled and whose 2023 income was $36,700 or less. The program excludes from taxation the first $25,000 or half (whichever is greater) of the assessed value of the permanent residence.
• The circuit breaker tax deferment program limits the amount of annual property tax the owner owes. Taxes above a certain amount are deferred, but will be due – with interest – if there is a disqualifying event. This program requires the recipient apply each year; if annual income is $36,700 or less, taxes will be limited to 4 percent of  total income. If income is between $36,700 and $55,050, that limit is 5 percent.
• A program for disabled veterans – or the unmarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran – excludes up to the first $45,000 of the appraised value of a permanent residence. For purposes of this program, a disabled veteran is defined as a veteran “whose character of service at separation was honorable or under honorable conditions, and who has a total and permanent service-connected disability or who received benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101.” Although there is no age or income requirement for this program, part of the application must be completed by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. For more info, about veterans services, visit  vancecounty.org … and click on departments and go to veterans-service-office

Find details on the three programs at:  www.vancecounty.org and click on departments then click on tax-overview and go to property-tax-relief-programs.

Or call the tax office at 252.738-2040 or email taxoffice@vancecounty.org.

Click Play!