Published: March 19, 2008 09:52 am      

Some Garrett seniors qualify for extra tax relief

OAKLAND — Some Garrett County residents now qualify to receive an additional tax credit from the county.

“I want to thank the county commissioners for following through and targeting tax relief for senior citizens,” Dave Moe of Oakland said. “I think the income guidelines are appropriate.”

The commissioners unanimously approved the tax credit at Tuesday’s meeting. The credit will be given to those who qualify for the state property tax credit, are over the age of 65 and have lived in the county for 10 years or more.

Residents will receive the state property tax credit plus an additional 25 percent from the county.

Wendy Yoder, director of financial services, said the county had looked at four different options for the plan and chose the one that would serve the most people. She said that only 25 of those qualifying for the state credit would not receive some form of assistance from the county because their state credit already covered all of those residents’ property taxes.

The new credit will be awarded through the state’s assessment and taxation department records, with the state department finding qualifying residents who have applied for the credit and awarding it to them.

“There are a few things we’ve found that still need corrected,” Denny Glotfelty, county commission chairman, said. “We’ve found some holes. It will be something to work on for the next couple of years.”

Glotfelty said some residents who would seem to qualify still are being missed by the program, but that the county is working to find what is keeping them from receiving the credit.

Jerry Plauger of Oakland also questioned how long it had been since the state made accommodations for inflation. He said he worried if the state didn’t make the necessary adjustments, each year fewer people would qualify for credits like this one, as it is done through state records.

Joe Keating, supervisor of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation’s Garrett County office, said the state updated some of that material two years ago. If further updates were done to compensate for inflation, he said they would be done at the legislative level.

In order for residents to receive the tax credit, they must apply to the state Homeowner’s Tax Credit. Glotfelty emphasized the importance of filling out the application. He added that anyone who did not receive an application or needs another one can contact the county to receive one.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.