(Chatham) — Pittsylvania County leaders are looking at proposals to extend real estate tax breaks to more people.
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday heard from county finance director Kim Van Der Hyde. She says they’ve looked at the qualifying incomes for tax exemptions for the elderly in nine neighboring localities. In Pittsylvania County, that cap is $25,000. “The lowest amount from other neighboring localities is $22,000. The highest one is Roanoke County at $56,566,” Van Der Hyde told Supervisors. “That means anyone in Roanoke County who makes $56,566 or less would be eligible to apply for the program.”
But Van Der Hyde says the biggest issue right now may be how many people are aware of the tax break. “I think it would help for them to have some education about what the program includes. I just get the feeling that a lot of our elderly people just aren’t aware it exists,” Van Der Hyde said.
“We could partner with Community Action or the Commissioner of Revenue’s office to offer assistance. There may be elderly people who aren’t physically able to fill out the paperwork,” Van Der Hyde added.
Chatham-Blairs Supervisor Ken Bowman says the $25,000 threshold is WAY too low. He’s proposing it be $40,000. “I’d like to see this moved forward. I’d like to see this on the agenda at the June meeting, Bowman said.
But Banister Supervisor Robert Tucker urged a more cautious approach. “I don’t think we need to go that high. Now we’re not talking about the poverty line, we’re talking about a bit above the poverty line,” Tucker said.
Earlier this month, Supervisors adopted a budget that sets the real estate rate at 56 cents. While that’s lower than the current 62-cent rate, it will mean about five million more dollars in local tax revenue. That’s because of a sharp increase in county property values.