PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFYING
SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED VETERANS
The Colorado Constitution establishes a property tax exemption for senior citizens, surviving spouses of senior citizens, and disabled veterans. For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence is exempted, for a maximum exemption amount of $1000,000 in actual value. The State of Colorado pays the property taxes on the exempted value if state funding is available. Once approved, the exemption remains in effect for future years, and the applicant should not re-apply.
SENIOR CITIZEN EXEMPTION :
Basic Qualifications - Generally, each of the following statements must be true to qualify. The qualifying senior :
* Must be at least 65 years old as of January 1 of this year ; and
* Must be current owner of record, and listed as the owner of record for at least ten consecutive years prior to January 1 of this year ; and
* Must occupy the property as his/her primary residence, and must have done so for at least ten consecutive years prior to January 1 of this year.
Exceptions to Basic Qualifcations - The applicant may still qualify if one or more of the following statements is true :
* Ownership is in the spouse’s name, and the spouse also occupies the property.
* Ownership has been transferred to or purchased by a trust, corporate partnership or other legal entity solely for estate planning purposes.
* The applicant was forced to move when the prior residence was condemned in an eminent domain proceeding.
* The applicant is the surviving spouse of a senior who met the requirements on January 1, 2002, or on any January 1 thereafter.
How to Apply – To apply, you must complete the appropriate application form and return it to the assessor, postmarked no later than the July 15th deadline. Late applications may be accepted until September 15th if the applicant can show good cause for missing the July 15th deadline. Two application forms are used for the exemption. The “ Short Form “ is for a qualifying senior citizen who meets each of the basic requirements. The “ Long Form “ is used when the applicant falls within one or more of the exceptions to the basic qualifications. If you would like to receive an application form or brochure, or if you have questions about the exemption, please contact the La Plata County Assessor’s office. The application form should be submitted to the county assessor at the following address.
La Plata County Assessor’s
Office
P.O. Box 3339 Durango, CO 81302
(970) 382-6221
DISABLED VETERAN EXEMPTION :
Basic Qualifications- The exemption is available to applicants who :
* Sustained a service-connected disablility while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States
* Were honorably discharged, and
* Were rated by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs as one hundred percent ”permanent and total” disabled.
VA unemployability awards do not meet the requirement for determining an applicant’s eligibility.
* The applicant must have owned and occupied the home as his/her primary residence since January 1 of this year However, limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the eligibility requirements section of the application.
How to Apply - Application forms are available from the Division of Veterans Affairs at the address and telephone number shown below and from the web site of the Colorado Division of Property Taxation at www.dola.colorado.gov/dpt/forms/index.htm. Completed applications should be submitted to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs at the following address. The application deadline is July 1
Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Division of Veterans Affairs 7465 E. 1st Avenue, Suite C Denver, Colorado 80230 Telephone: 303-343-1268 Fax: 303-343-7238 http://www.dmva.state.co.us/viewpage.php?UGFnZUlEPTU=