Giles County Trustee Jo Ann Townsend announced this week that funding for the state’s property tax relief program for low-income elderly, disabled, disabled veterans and widows of disabled veteran homeowners has been increased.

Funding for the state’s property tax relief program was recently approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, making $17.75 million in state funds available for qualified homeowners. This is an increase of $7.7 million over last year.

“The increase is the largest in the program’s history. This means more people will be eligible for the program and that relief amounts per recipient may be higher than in the past,” Townsend said.

Elderly homeowners age 65 and older who have a household income of $20,000 or less may qualify for property tax relief. Disabled homeowners whose household income is $20,000 or less may also qualify for property tax relief. There is no age limit for disabled homeowners.

Qualified applicants will receive property tax relief on the first $25,000 of their property’s market value. This is an increase of $7,000 over the previous value limit. “This increase will provide more relief to those homeowners who are already on the program,” Townsend said.

Disabled veteran homeowners will also see increased relief, as the relief amount will increase from the taxes due on the first $150,000 to the first $175,000 of market value. There is no income limit for disabled veterans to qualify.

“A significant change to the property tax relief program is that spouses of soldiers killed in action will be eligible for property tax relief for the first time,” Townsend said.

Tennessee’s tax relief program is a state-funded program that provides a rebate or credit for all or a portion of the property taxes on residential property owned and occupied by low-income elderly, low-income disabled, and disabled veteran homeowners and their surviving spouses.

To apply for the property tax relief program or for more info. contact Townsend at 931/363-1676.