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Opinion

Duncan: Property tax break is available for some in Sun City

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The Mission of the Sun City Community Assistance Network is to, “Connect people with resources to enhance their standard of living.”

In other words, Sun City CAN helps people save money on things like property taxes, income taxes, utilities, Medicare premiums, prescription drugs and other things.

Many benefits go unclaimed simply because people are unaware that the benefits exist. In an effort to shed light on some of the help that is available to low-income seniors, I will write a guest commentary each month about a different senior help program.

Below is a listing of benefits available for low-income seniors that some may not realize are available.

Tax break

Some Arizona widows and widowers, but not all, may be eligible for a significant reduction in their real estate taxes.

To be eligible, the applicant must be a current Arizona resident and the deceased spouse must have been an Arizona resident at the time of death. Furthermore, the applicant’s annual income, excluding Social Security and veteran’s disability payments, must be less than $33,722 if there are no minor children in the home.

The widow/widower’s tax break exempts $4,047 in assessed value with a corresponding reduction in property taxes. Since “assessed value” is 10% of limited property value, this means that the tax break exempts $40,470 off the limited property value of your home. For instance, if the limited property value of your home is $100,000, the widow/widower’s exemption would reduce that to about $59,530 for tax purposes.

This is a permanent exemption as long as the eligibility requirements are met. Renewal is not required.

Applications should be received by March 1 of each tax year.

If you think you qualify, call the Maricopa County Assessor at 623-236-8093 and make an appointment. The Assessor’s office is located in the Sun City Community Assistance Network office building, 10195 W. Coggins Drive, Sun City.

Editor’s Note: Hugh Duncan is Sun City Community Assistance Network board president.