Elderly and disabled South Dakotans have until April 1, 2018 to apply for property tax relief under South Dakota’s Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled Program.
Under the program, a qualifying homeowner’s property assessment is prevented from increasing for tax purposes. If the actual value of the home increases, the homeowner still pays property taxes on the lower value.
To be eligible for the Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled Program, individuals must meet the following qualifications:
- Have incomes of less than $27,697.78 for a single-member household (only one individual in the household) or less than $34,622.21 for a multiple-member household
- Have owned or retained a life estate in a single-family dwelling, in fee or by contract to purchase, for at least one year and have been a resident of South Dakota for at least one year
- Have resided in the single-family dwelling for at least 200 days of the previous calendar year
- Be 65 years of age or older or disabled (as defined by the Social Security Act)
Un-remarried widows/widowers of those who previously qualified for the program may still qualify in some circumstances. The valuation limit for the program is $190,122.74 or more of full and true value, meaning that property valued above those limits is not eligible unless the applicant has previously qualified.
The deadline to apply for the program is April 1, and applications must be submitted to the applicant’s local county treasurer’s office. Applications are available at county treasurer’s offices or online at http://dor.sd.gov/Taxes/Property_Taxes/Forms.aspx.
(SD Dept. of Revenue)