Posted: | December 2, 2024 09:31 AM |
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From: | Senator Frank A. Farry |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Senior Property Tax Freeze |
Far too often we hear from seniors in our districts who are on a fixed income and have trouble staying in their homes due to the large burden of paying their property taxes especially with inflation and fears of recession gripping our country. That is why I plan to introduce legislation which would allow the local taxing authorities to freeze an eligible senior’s property taxes at their base year amount for as long as they remain eligible. In order to be eligible for the tax freeze, my legislation would require that the home be the primary residence and the senior citizen be 65 years of age or older. They must also have established residency within the Commonwealth, paid property taxes for more than five years prior to filing for the freeze, and their combined household income cannot exceed $65,000 per year. If their income exceeds $65,000 but their property tax liability is ten percent or more of their total income they would also qualify. My legislation will require the Department of Community and Economic Development to produce a report on this program to the General Assembly to help minimize the costs and better facilitate this program. For the many seniors living in our districts on a fixed or limited income, I believe this program will provide a much-needed degree of financial certainty that will ensure they may remain in their homes. Please join us in sponsoring this important piece of legislation. Previous co-sponsors were Senators Boscola, Bartolotta, Pennycuick, Costa, and Stefano. |