Jan. 11 event to help St. Joe County homeowners age 55+ sign up for new property tax credit
SOUTH BEND — St. Joseph County officials will hold an event Thursday, Jan. 11 to help residents sign up for a brand-new property tax credit for homeowners age 55 and older that, they report, has already seen almost 1,000 applicants since Jan. 1.
The sign-up session will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St. This is a different room than was mentioned in last month’s announcements about the event.
Unanimous vote: County council approves property tax credit for ages 55+ but removes income limit
The session is for those who want extra help with the sign-up process. But residents can also apply for the tax credit on their own at https://www.sjcindiana.com/2302/Auditor. Alongside a video and other details about the new credit, you’ll find forms for other deductions.
To apply for this credit, click on the link for “(Over 55) County Option Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.” Homeowners may apply at anytime through Dec. 31.
For those who choose to apply and qualify, the credit will prevent property taxes from rising more than 2%. There isn’t an income limit, but homeowners must have a homestead deduction and have lived in their home in St. Joseph County for at least 10 years. Per the new Indiana state law that made it possible, the credit would expire after three years.
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The St. Joseph County Council approved the credit late in 2023 to ease the effect of rising home property taxes. The credit begins with taxes payable in 2025.
There’s another, existing tax credit for county homeowners age 65 and older who have limited incomes, but residents cannot use that and the new credit at the same time.
For questions about which credit may be better for you or for other questions, call the auditor’s office at 574-235-9668 and press option 2.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: St. Joseph County helps homeowners property tax credit ages 55 older
