Offered in addition to the regular homestead exemption, it will give modest-income seniors the same deal available in several Pinellas cities.
By WILL VAN SANT, Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2005
CLEARWATER - Joining a growing number of local governments, Pinellas County plans to grant extra property tax relief to seniors on fixed incomes.
County commissioners agreed Tuesday to vote before the end of the month whether to grant an extra $25,000 homestead exemption to those 65 and older. A quick decision would allow the exemption, worth about $59 a year, to take effect during the 2006 tax year.
To be eligible, applicants must have the standard homestead exemption and a modest income. This year, the state Department of Revenue put the income limit at $22,693. In January, the department will adjust that figure slightly upward based on the consumer price index
By state law, governments can offer extra homestead exemptions of up to $25,000 to fixed-income seniors. Clearwater, Dunedin, Madeira Beach, Safety Harbor, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs and Redington Shores all will offer some level of exemption next year. Some of those cities do now.
County officials say between 2,500 and 6,000 seniors in unincorporated Pinellas may apply for the exemption. Budget officials say the impact on county revenue will be negligible.
County Commissioner Calvin Harris proposed the measure as a way to help seniors on limited incomes who are hit heavily by tax bill hikes.
"I am hoping this takes a little bit of the pain out of having to pay these increases," Harris said. "And it puts our residents on an equal footing with those in the cities."
County officials cautioned against trying to apply for the exemption before the end of the year. Homestead exemption renewal notices sent out in January will include information on how and where seniors can apply.
