Summit County offers tax relief to residents for numerous reasons, including veteran status, disability, low household income and age.
The household income qualifying someone for tax relief has increased this year by 20%, from $38,369 to $46,042.
The Summit County Council unanimously approved the increase at its meeting Aug. 23. A formal resolution is coming in a few weeks, but residents can apply for the relief this tax year.
The approval comes after Grand County also raised its tax relief income restrictions by 20%, according to The Times-Independent.
“It will be significant to some and it may not reach everyone, but it's a way we can offer some help,” Councilmember Canice Harte said at an earlier meeting Aug. 9. He was absent Aug. 23 and missed the vote on the measure.
Previously, property owners only qualified for indigent tax relief if they are over 66 years old, are disabled, face extreme hardship or have a household income less than about $38,000.
County Treasurer Corrie Forsling said about 14,000 properties are primary residences in Summit County. Of those, 103 applied and qualified for the indigent tax abatement last year.
Expanding tax relief would not diminish the county’s budget. The amount of tax relief granted this year is factored into next year's tax rate, so other taxpayers offset the money given back to county residents most in need.
Council Chair Roger Armstrong asked Forsling at Wednesday's meeting how much money the county collects in taxes, versus how much it gives back to those experiencing hardship.
She said the county raises about $230 million in tax dollars annually, and the indigent tax abatement gave back about $434,000 last year.
The county included information about indigent tax relief and the other relief programs in the property tax notices it recently distributed. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1.
Click here to learn if you qualify for tax relief programs in Summit County.