The payment of any increases in property taxes
on the primary residence owned and occupied by a person or persons
who are 65 years of age or older may be deferred, interest free, by
eligible taxpayers until such time as the property is disposed of
by reason of death of all owners who are 65 years of age or older,
or by reason of transfer or conveyance, at which time the total deferred
taxes will be paid to the Town.
An "eligible taxpayer" is defined as an individual
who is a resident of the Town of East Greenwich for income tax purposes,
is 65 years of age or older, and has resided in the primary residence
located in the Town of East Greenwich for which the deferral is claimed
for a minimum of five years. There is no income or means test for
eligibility. In the case of a married couple, at least one spouse
must be 65 years of age or older. The deferral is optional, to be
made at the request of the eligible taxpayer to the Tax Assessor.
Any taxes so deferred will become a lien on
the property. The eligible taxpayer may remove the lien at any time
by paying the total taxes due, interest free.
This deferral is in addition to any and all
other exemptions which the taxpayer may be entitled by law. The Town
Council of the Town of East Greenwich shall establish the requirements
and application and/or verification procedures for taxpayers to avail
themselves of this deferment.