Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Treasurers’ office has been limited in its efforts to promote the tax relief programs available to the residents of the County. Staff usually visits senior centers and participates in senior expos and conventions to get the word out. Countywide Council Member Shireen Ghorbani and Treasurer K. Wayne Cushing want to emphasize this worthy cause.
Tax relief is available to certain military veterans, the legally blind in both eyes, those 66 years old and older with annual household income under $34,168 (known as the Circuit Breaker Program), and those of any age experiencing hardship or who are indigent. If anyone is in this situation, please contact the Treasurer’s agency at 385-468-8300.
“We know our residents are experiencing both financial and emotional stress on a scale we haven’t seen in a long time”, said Ghorbani. “And we want them to know that the county is here for them. Because the nature of the information required to process tax-relief applications is highly sensitive, residents may be required to visit the Government Center and meet in-person with staff in the Treasurer’s Office. We want to reassure taxpayers that precautions at the Government Center have been put in place to provide a safe location for those who have to visit.”
The deadline to apply for tax relief is September 1. To streamline the process, beginning on August 24 the Treasurer’s Office, including the nearby North Building Atrium will be set up to serve residents safely during the on-going pandemic. This includes mandatory mask-wearing, hand sanitizer, and social distancing.
Along with the new layout, Treasurer Cushing states, “We will continue to take specific appointments but will be opening up for walk-ins. We will have employees available to answer questions and screen individual circumstances. We want all who qualify for property tax relief to get that relief.”
