|
|
||
Tax relief cap for elderly goes back up in Stafford Date published: 2/11/2008
BY KAFIA HOSH In the fall of 2006, Stafford County officials expanded their tax-relief program to help more residents on fixed incomes. They increased the limits on net worth for the elderly and disabled so more people could qualify for a real estate tax break. But as the program expanded, county officials also decreased the maximum tax-relief amount from $3,500 to $2,000. Suddenly, 140 of the 706 people on the program no longer qualified for complete tax relief, according to Commissioner of the Revenue Scott Mayausky. "Most of those people had no tax liability up until the time they lowered the cap," he said. The Board of Supervisors considered raising the cap again recently. Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde proposed the limit go back up to $3,500. "I have personally met three people who, up until last year, weren't paying any taxes," he said during a public hearing last month. "They're all widows. And they're all long-time residents." Last week, supervisors voted 6-1, to increase the cap to $3,000. Milde actually voted against the increase because it was still $500 less than he wanted. "We've made a lot of progress. I want it back up to $3,500 where it used to be," he said. With the cap raised to $3,000, the county will lose about $65,000 in tax revenue each year. And as Stafford faces an estimated $6 million budget shortfall this year, some questioned the fiscal impact of raising the maximum. "If the real estate tax rate is raised this year, the impact will be more," Hartwood District Supervisor Joe Brito said. "I think we really have to look at the long-term implications of this ordinance." A $3,500 cap would cost the county an additional $9,000 in tax revenue loss. But about 23 people on the program, who once qualified for a full break, would still have to pay some real estate tax, according to Mayausky. "The county is not going to feel that $9,000 cost, but those folks who are still having to pay that tax bill, that's real money to them that can create a real hardship," he said.
Date published: 2/11/2008
DeanFetterolf and others of like mind - Please go ahead and write the checks to Stafford County of you believe your taxes are too low. There is nothing stopping you for making additional revenue contributions to the county and I am sure they would not reject the unsoliciated support. I already have Richmond using my tax dollars to pay the Stafford Car Bill and left with the remainder to pay. This Commonwealth is really a trip - nothing ever makes sense - NO does not mean NO,does YES mean NO? VA is VA
Richmond poorly funds many needed items (schools, highways, public safety). I would rather have my local taxes go up so that we have some say in how the money is spent. Stafford is the 11th wealthiest county in the nation. This area cannot continue to rely on property and sales tax for the majority of its revenue. If our money goes to Richmond it will be lost forever.
This year's tax rate will show an additional penny or two due to this action! Stafford is looking to raise individual property tax rates between 75 cent to perhaps a $1.00 this coming year - Stafford BOS needs to look to get their money from other sources besides my pocket.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
