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Title
58.1-3211, Code of Virginia, provides enabling legislation that
permits exemption and/or deferrals of real property tax levied by
a locality for qualified citizens age sixty-five (65) or older and
persons declared totally disabled.
Certain limitations are set out for use statewide.
It also provides that certain localities, including
Fauquier, may have higher than standard limitations.
The
current law provides that Fauquier County may exempt or defer the
real property tax for those elderly or disabled persons whose
income does not exceed $52,000 and a maximum net combined
financial worth, which shall exclude the value of the dwelling and
the land, not exceeding one acre upon which it is situated, of
$195,000.
The
current limitations established by the Board of Supervisors are
$35,000 gross income and $125,000 net worth.
The Relief for the Elderly Ordinance was last amended July
21, 1992 to reflect those amounts.
An
analysis of the program participation indicates that there has
been a decline in participation, due largely to the eligibility
requirements.
Year
Participants Property Value Exempted
1992
484
$38,944,000
1993
573
$46,108,706
1994
578
$49,298,800
1995
607
$53,017,300
1996
629
$55,324,100
1997
628
$58,112,250
1998
698
$59,051,066
1999
607
$56,880,000
2000
611
$54,792,550
2001
547
$50,273,200
2002
545
$61,366,900
PROPOSAL
"A"
Since
the limitation amounts have not been adjusted since 1992, it is
proposed that a revised set of limits be established, adjusted for
the general cost of living since 1992.
Using an average three percent (3%) per annum increase in
the cost of living applied to both existing amounts, allows an
increase from $35,000 to $47,000 for the gross income amount and
an increase from $125,000 to $168,000 for the combined net worth.
In addition, Delegate Mark Cole (88th District) sponsored a
bill that was adopted by the Legislature that increased the amount
a relative living in the household may earn from $6,500 to $8,500.
It is proposed that this be incorporated into this
ordinance amendment. The change should provide an opportunity for those
participants who were previously in the program to be eligible
again.
Limits
Current Proposed
Gross
Income $35,000
$47,000
Net
Worth
$125,000
$168,000
Relative
Income
$6,500
$8,500
PROPOSAL
"B"
In
order to offset the fiscal impact of the increased limitations
while expanding the eligibility for senior citizens and
alternative sliding scale may be employed.
The proposed sliding scale increases the lower end of the
exemption and decreases the exemption at an increased higher
amount. the table is
as follows:
Gross
Income Amount
of Tax Relief
$42,000
or less
100%
$42,001
to $47,000 50%
$47,001
to $52,000 25%
Increasing
the Net Worth limit from $125,000 to $150,000
Relative
income: Increase from $6,500 to $8,500
Proposal
"B" is expected to produce about the same revenue impact
as Proposal "A"
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