Pursuant to § 58.1-3210 of the Code of Virginia, the
County of Rappahannock, Virginia, hereby establishes a program to
provide tax relief for the elderly and totally disabled if they and
their property qualify according to the following tests. Tax relief
may take the form of a total or partial exemption. The tax relief
provided for in this article applies to County real estate taxes.
Any reference herein to real estate shall include manufactured homes.
A. In order to qualify for tax relief under this article, an applicant
must pass all of the following tests:
(1) Test 1: They must be a qualifying individual;
(2) Test 2: They must own and occupy qualifying property;
(3) Test 3: Their annual income cannot exceed the annual income limitation specified in §
151-51 of this article; and
(4) Test 4: Their net financial worth cannot exceed the net financial worth limitation specified in §
151-52 of this article.
B. A person who otherwise qualifies for relief under this article shall
not be required to reside in Rappahannock County for a designated
period of time as a condition for qualifying for tax relief.
Any person who passes all four tests shall be entitled to tax
relief on the qualifying property as follows:
A. The Commissioner of the Revenue shall set the maximum amount of tax
relief based on the typical real estate tax bill attributable to the
average assessed value of dwellings on 20 acres or less in Rappahannock
County. The Commissioner of the Revenue shall periodically adjust
this maximum exemption amount with changes in assessed values. For
reference, in 2022 the limit would be $2,500 based on the noted typical
real estate tax bill attributable to the average assessed value of
dwellings on 20 acres or less in Rappahannock County.
B. If the income limitation (Test 3) is met and the income is $25,000
or less, the qualifying property shall be 100% exempt from real estate
taxes up to the maximum exemption amount. This $25,000 income level
is based on approximately two times the poverty threshold for individuals
65 years of age and older as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau for
2020. The Commissioner of the Revenue shall periodically adjust the
$25,000 limit so it remains generally aligned with two times the poverty
level.
C. If the income limitation is met, but the income is more than the amount determined in accordance with §
151-53B, then the amount of tax relief will be in accordance with a formula established by the Commissioner of the Revenue where the goal is that the amount of the exemption will decline as actual household income approaches the annual income limitation for tax relief.
The Treasurer shall enclose written notice, in each real estate
tax bill, of the terms and conditions of the tax relief provided by
this article. The Treasurer may employ any other reasonable means
necessary to notify residents of the County about said tax relief.