This proposed change in state law could save some NC seniors on their property taxes
Some North Carolina seniors could get property tax relief under a bill a Wake County legislator filed this week.
N.C. Rep. Erin Paré, a Republican who represents southwest Wake County, says House Bill 57 would help seniors stay in their homes.
“The Democrats on the Wake County Board of Commissioners are raising your property taxes to record levels,” she posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m not happy about it, and you aren’t either. Seniors on a fixed income are the most vulnerable to the Wake County Democrats’ tax and spend obsession.”
Home values across Wake County rose on average 53% in last year’s revaluation since the last countywide reassessment four years earlier, The News & Observer reported. A home valued at $462,000 had a county tax bill of $2,372 last year, with property owners in town and city limits paying additional taxes in those municipalities.
The new bill would expand one of the state’s three property tax relief programs. The Elderly and Disabled Homestead Exclusion program excludes the first $25,000 or up to 50% of a home value, whichever is greater, from taxation. It applies to homeowners who are 65 or older or 100% disabled and who make less than $37,900. Paré’s bill increases that threshold to $48,000.
There are 4,191 people enrolled in the program in Wake County.
Those parameters would remain, but Paré’s bill also expands the program to include seniors or people permanently disabled who have lived in their homes for 15 consecutive years and make less than 80% of the area median income for a family of two. The area median income for a family of two in Wake County is $97,900, so 80% of that is $78,320.
Wake County Commissioner Chair Susan Evans says the bill sounds like something she could support.
“I haven’t seen it, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to my staff about it,” she said. “But that is one of the things that’s been on our legislative agenda, just to give us some flexibility to do more. We’re frustrated that we cannot do more for our residents that are over 65 or disabled right now.”
The commissioners have been mindful of “property taxes being a burden” on residents, but the county has continued to grow, increasing the demand for county services.
Making the Homestead Exclusion “equitable” across the 100 counties has also been a legislative goal of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.
Some seniors have to choose between paying for “necessary living expenses” and their property taxes, Paré said on social media.
Other property tax relief programs
The state has two other property tax relief programs.
Circuit Breaker Program: This is sometimes called the tax deferment program. The program limits property taxes to a percentage of the owner’s income, and taxes above the limit are deferred. People must be 65 or older or “totally and permanently disabled.” The income of the applicant and spouse cannot exceed $56,850. There are 159 people in this program in Wake County.
Disabled Veterans Exclusion: Veterans discharged under honorable conditions may qualify for a reduction in property tax. There is no age or income limitation. There are 2,646 people enrolled in this program in Wake County.
Wake County residents can apply online for the three programs by visiting wake.gov/tax and clicking “tax relief.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 5:40 AM with the headline "This proposed change in state law could save some NC seniors on their property taxes."
