Tax Relief

Call the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at 365-6218 to set up an appointment. Applications are taken by appointment only. The application process usually takes less than thirty minutes to complete and involves the applicant supplying documentation about his/her income and resources. The applicant must sign an affidavit confirming the accuracy of all information.  Click here to download the application.

Yes. All information is strictly confidential and not open to public inspection.

Yes. Tax relief is granted on an annual basis and a new application must be filed each year.

To be eligible for the real estate tax relief program, you must apply each year between January 1st and June 30th. If you are eligible, relief will be applied to your real estate tax bills due on December 5th and June 5th of the following fiscal year.

Yes. The applicant seeking relief must own and occupy the property. An exception is allowed for persons living in nursing homes, hospitals, or convalescent homes for physical or mental care so long as their property is not being used by or rented to others for monetary consideration.

The owner whose name appears on the tax bill must be at least 65 years of age on or before June 30 of the immediately preceding taxable year in which the application is made. The spouse can be under the age of 65.

No. If a person who is permanently and totally disabled owns real estate, there is no minimum age requirement.

Certification is required from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Railroad Retirement Board, or the Social Security Administration. If an applicant is not eligible for certification by any of these agencies, there must be sworn affidavits by two medical doctors licensed to practice medicine in Virginia. One of these affidavits must be based upon a physical examination.

The gross combined income of the owner(s) during the calendar year preceding the taxable year cannot exceed $54,600 per year. Income from relatives living in the dwelling (excluding up to $6,500 per person) is included in computing gross income.

Wages, Social Security, annuities, pensions, disability income, interest, dividends, business income, farm income, income from rental property, and income from roomers or boarders.

The applicant’s net worth, not counting the value of the applicant’s home, cannot exceed $228,596.

Real estate other than one (1) acre and the residence thereon, bank accounts, trusts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, cash value of life insurance policies, and value of personal property such as automobiles.

Heirs do not have to repay the amount of taxes relieved.

Isle of Wight operates an EXEMPTION program.

Senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled persons who meet the eligibility criteria are granted relief from all or part of their real estate taxes.  No repayment of the taxes, which are exempted, is ever required by you or your heirs.

No. If there is a mortgage on the property, you are still eligible to apply for real estate tax relief.

Yes. Mobile homes qualify if owned by the applicant, whether or not the land is owned by the applicant. For purposes of this program, mobile homes are eligible for tax relief as real estate, and the same qualifications apply.

REAL ESTATE
The General Assembly exempted from taxation the real property up to one acre, including the joint real property of husband and wife, of any Veteran who has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency pursuant to federal law to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent and total disability, and who occupies the real property as his/her primary place of residence.  This exemption also includes manufactured homes, whether or not the veteran or the spouse owns the land on which the residence is located.

The Surviving Spouse of a Veteran eligible for the exemption shall also qualify for the exemption, so long as the death of the Veteran occurred on or after January 1, 2011, the Surviving Spouse does not remarry, and the Surviving Spouse continues to occupy the real property as his/her primary place of residence.

Qualifications for Real Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans

• Disability of Veteran must be 100% service-connected, permanent, and total.
• Residence must be Veteran’s primary residence (proof, such state tax return, may be requested).
• Spouse must also be identified.
• Deceased Veteran must have died on or after January 1, 2011.
• Surviving Spouse must not be remarried.
• Surviving Spouse may move to a different principal place of residence.
• Surviving Spouse of KIA/DOW may move to a different principal place of residence.

Required Documentation

• Certification of disability being: (a) 100% service-connected, and (b) permanent, and (c) total.
• Copy of Veteran’s death certificate showing death occurred on or after January 1, 2011 (if applicable).

PERSONAL PROPERTY MOTOR VEHICLE
Disabled Veterans who qualify under provisions of the Code of Virginia and Isle of Wight County Ordinance may receive relief on one motor vehicle owned and regularly used by a veteran who has either lost, or lost the use of, one or both legs, or an arm or a hand, or who is blind or who is permanently and totally disabled as certified by the Department of Veterans Services.   In order to qualify, the veteran shall provide a written statement to the Commissioner of Revenue or another assessing officer from the Department of Veterans Services that the veteran has been so designated or classified by the Department of Veterans Services as to meet the requirements of this section, and that his disability is 100% service-connected.

Please contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at (757) 365-6218.