MC eyes reduced tax bite for those 65 and older

Hearing on matter slated for April 20

The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors (MCBS) voted on Tuesday, April 4, to send to public hearing a proposal to increase the maximum amount of real estate property tax relief for qualifying “elderly” and disabled taxpayers from $500 to $750. The public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Middlesex County Historic Courthouse in Saluda.

Tax relief for persons described as “elderly” is designed to provide county real estate tax relief for qualifying low income real estate owners. Apparently, county officials are using the term elderly as a reference to a specific age range — according to the United States Social Security Administration, anyone age 65 or older can be called “elderly.”

County Attorney Heather Lewis stated at the meeting that “at the board’s March 2023 meeting, the board expressed a desire to review and increase the county’s current real estate exemption for qualifying ‘elderly’ and disabled taxpayers.

“The board directed my office to prepare the necessary paperwork to do so. To that end, I have enclosed an amended Middlesex County property tax exemption for your review…”