Tax Relief for Elderly or Disabled Property Owners

North Carolina allows low-income Homestead Exclusions for qualified indi­viduals. Owners must apply with the County Tax Assessor's office between January 1 and June 1. If you qualify, you can receive an exclusion of $25,000 or 50% of the taxable value (whichever is greater) of your permanent residence, one acre of land, and any special yard items. A permanent residence may be a house, a condominium, a townhome or a manufactured home.

Requirements

The applicant's name must be on the deed or title to the residence.

An owner can apply for an exclusion for only their primary residence.

A qualifying owner is one who meets all of the following requirements as of January 1 of the year for which the exclusion is claimed:

1. Is a North Carolina resident.
2. Is at least 65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled. Total and permanent disability is a disability that substantially hinders a person from obtaining gainful employment.  Totally and permanently disabled applicants must provide proof of disability in the form of a certificate from a physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina or from a governmental agency authorized to determine qualifi­cation for disability benefits.
3. Has an income for the preceding calendar year of not more than the income eligibility limit. The NC Dept. of Revenue determines the income eligibility amount annually based on a cost-of-living adjustment. Applicants should call or email the Tax Assessor's Office for the current income eligibility limit.

Income

Documentation verifying income is required. For married applicants residing with their spouses, the income from both spouses must be included, whether or not the property is in both names.

All other money from EVERY source other than gifts or inheritances received from a spouse, lineal (direct) ancestor, or lineal descendant must be listed on the application. Examples include but are not limited to disability, IRA distributions, pensions and annuities, social security benefits, capital gains, and veteran benefits.

More information:

Call:  Within Mecklenburg County - 311
        Outside of Mecklenburg County - 704-336-7600

Visit:   Real Property Division of
          Mecklenburg County Assessor’s Office, Suite 203
          Bob Walton Plaza
          700 E Stonewall St
          Charlotte, NC 28202

E-mail