Deadline approaching for Durham County homeowners to apply for property tax relief
Durham County is offering property tax relief to low-income households, but the deadline for applications is quickly approaching.
The Low-income Homeowners Relief Program will stop taking applications on Dec. 31.
The program is geared toward longtime, low-income homeowners in the county who are struggling to pay rising property taxes amid revitalization and gentrification. The assistance is for current 2021 property tax bills due in January.
Eligible homeowners can receive up to $750 in property tax assistance.
“People have spent so much time and effort and years of homeownership and just with everything just skyrocketing, at this point we’re just trying to help them maintain their primary residency,” said Contessa Sawyer, social work supervisor at the county Department of Social Services.
This is separate from the Longtime Homeowner Grant Program administered by the City of Durham. That program is limited to three Durham neighborhoods — Southside, Northeast Central Durham and Southwest Central Durham — and provides tax relief for households where the property tax has increased from 2015 to 2020.
The county’s program is for all of Durham County and is limited to this past tax year.
The application deadline for the city program is March 31.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the program, the household income cannot be more than 80% of the area median income. The county will prioritize households that are at 60% of the area median income or less.
As defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 80% of the area median income in Durham is $48,400 for a single-person household, $55,300 for two people, $62,200 for three and $69,100 for a four-person household.
Sixty percent is $36,300 for one person, $41,520 for two, $46,680 for three and $51,840 for four.
Eligible homeowners must also have lived in their home, as a primary residence, for the past 10 years. A property owned and leased by a landlord, for example, would not be eligible.
Applicants must also provide proof of primary residence and a current tax bill that has the homeowner’s name on it.
To document household income, the county requires pay check stubs, Social Security or unemployment benefit award letter if applicable, a 2020 tax return and a photo ID.
Assistance cannot be duplicative, meaning that those that receive other state subsidy tax assistance are not eligible.
That includes other county property tax relief programs such as tax exclusions for veterans, those 65 and older and those with a disability.
If an applicant is unsure if they receive assistance through these exclusions, the county encourages them to contact DSS.
Since the city’s program is for tax arrears and does not apply to the current year, it is not considered duplicative of the county’s program. In other words, it is possible for a household to be eligible for both programs.
How to apply
Households can apply online at bit.ly/3DHMmIJ.
Applicants can also call to schedule a phone appointment at (919) 560-8000.
“Just apply, call in, speak with a social worker and let’s determine your eligibility and see if we can assist with the increased taxes,” Sawyer said.
This story was originally published December 10, 2021 at 8:00 AM.