Page 33 - November 2017 The Castle Pines Connection proof 7

Qualifying
disabled veteran
property tax
exemptions
Information provided by Douglas County
In 2006, Colorado voters approved an amendment and subsequent legislation that expanded the senior property tax exemption
to include “qualifying disabled veterans.” For disabled veterans who qualify, 50 percent of the rst $200,000 of actual value of the veteran’s primary residence is exempted.
A disabled veteran exemption is available
to those applicants who sustained a service- connected disability while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the U.S., were honorably discharged, and were rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as 100 percent “permanent and total” disabled. The Veterans Affairs unemployability awards do not meet the requirement for determining an applicant’s eligibility.
The applicant must have owned and occupied the home as his or her primary residence since January 1 of the year of application. The application deadline is July 1 of the year of application. It is too late to apply for 2017 eligibility. If you are going to apply for this for 2018, be sure you do apply by July 1, 2018.
There are limited exceptions to the ownership and occupant requirements and these are detailed in the eligibility requirements section of the application. Owners of multiple residences may only designate one property as their primary residence.
For application forms, visit the Division of Veterans Affairs website at www.douglas.co.us/ assessor/exemptions/veterans-property-tax- exemption/.
Completed applications should be submitted to the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Division of Veterans Affairs
1355 South Colorado Boulevard, Suite 113 Denver, CO 80222
For more facts about bene ts, programs or other information, call 303-284-6077; online visit www.colorado.gov/vets or www.douglas.co.us/ community/veterans/.
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CastlePinesConnection.com 33 Senior property tax exemptions
Information provided by Douglas County
The Senior Property Tax Exemption for senior citizens was created for qualifying seniors and the surviving spouses of seniors who previously quali ed for the exemption. Taxpayers 65 years and older as of January 1 of the year of application must have owned and occupied
the property as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years may qualify for the senior exemption. An application for the tax exemption must be sent to the county assessor between January 1 and July 1 of the qualifying year.
The exemption reduces the actual taxable value of quali ed residential property by 50 percent of the rst $200,000 of taxable value. The state
is responsible for reimbursing the Douglas County treasurer for the lost revenue. Once approved, the exemption remains in place until there is a change in ownership.
An applicant or married couple can apply for the exemption on only one property. That property must be his or her primary residence.
To apply for the senior property tax exemption, visit www.douglas.co.us/assessor/exemptions/ senior-property-tax-exemption/. Information for the Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate Program and Colorado Property Tax Deferrals is also available on this website.