Tax Break Extended To Hundreds Of Seniors

By Steve Bigham

  Newtown senior citizens continued to file into the tax collectors office at Edmond Town Hall this week to apply for the newly-created elderly tax relief program.

As of Wednesday morning, 335 residents age 65 and over had filed for the tax break, which goes into effect this year. The deadline for application is June 15.

“I’m very pleased to see that so many people are coming in for it,” noted Tax Collector Carol Mahoney. “Some said it was nice to see that help was finally coming their way. Others were relieved. One lady said she had spent a lot of money on septic repair work and was concerned about her financial situation. This tax relief program came along and she was just thrilled.”

Last month, the town passed the new plan, which enables certain seniors to save as much as $1,000 on their local tax bills. This year’s plan calls for a cap of $330,000 in revenue loss to the town so the program operates on a first come first served basis. Mrs Mahoney said the cap is rapidly being approached.

To be eligible under the plan, a taxpayer must be 65 or over, have lived in Newtown for at least one year, and live in the home for at least 183 days out of the year. Those with household income levels between $0 and $35,000 will receive a $1,000 tax credit, while those earning between $35,000 and $55,000 will receive a $600 tax credit.

The taxpayers of Newtown pay 60-70 percent of municipal spending each year. Much of that money used to come from the state, especially education funds. Town officials opted to implement this plan in an effort to keep Newtown’s elderly in town. A senior citizen requires fewer services than a family with young children.

The $330,000 cap is expected to go up next year.

The tax relief program requires residents to claim all of their income, including tax exempt money.