BLAGAJNICA MARIA PAPPAS : PREDNOSTI PROGRAMA ZA ODLAGANJE POREZA NA IMOVINU ZA SENIORE

Blagajnica okruga Cook Maria Pappas poziva starije osobe da iskoriste prednosti programa odlaganja poreza na imovinu

ČIKAGO — Usred sve veće zabrinutosti da povećanje računa za porez na imovinu tera starije građane da napuste svoje domove, blagajnica okruga Kuk Marija Papas podsetila je danas starije vlasnike kuća na državni program koji im omogućava da odlože plaćanje poreza na imovinu.

Senior Tax Deferral Program

Program odlaganja poreza na imovinu starijih građana omogućava vlasnicima nekretnina starijim od 65 godina da „pozajme“ novac od države da pokriju porez na imovinu. Ovaj program funkcioniše kao zajam sa jednostavnom godišnjom kamatnom stopom od 3%, pružajući finansijsku olakšicu starijim osobama koje ispunjavaju uslove.

„Našim starijim vlasnicima kuća sve je teže da plaćaju poreze“, rekla je Papas. “Ovaj program može napraviti razliku između ostanka u svom domu, zaostajanja u plaćanju poreza ili prodaje svog doma.”

Da bi bili kvalifikovani, vlasnici nekretnina moraju ispuniti sledeće kriterijume:

• Da ima 65 godina ili više na dan 1. juna godine kada je prijava podneta.

• Imaju godišnji prihod domaćinstva od 65.000 dolara ili manje.

• Živeli u kući poslednje tri godine.

• Nemaju zakašnjele poreze na imovinu ili čekaju posebne procene.

• Imati odgovarajuće osiguranje od požara ili nezgode.

Program omogućava odlaganje poreza na imovinu do 7.500 dolara godišnje. Ako je račun veći, vlasnik kuće je odgovoran za plaćanje razlike. Odloženi porezi moraju se platiti odmah po prodaji ili prenosu imovine, ili u roku od godinu dana nakon smrti poreskog obveznika.

Prijave za fiskalnu 2024. biće dostupne u januaru 2025. i moraju se predati pre 1. marta.

Na cookcountitreasurer.com, pod karticom „Seniori“, možete pronaći informacije o programu, link do brošure koju možete preuzeti i aplikaciju koja se može odštampati. Pored toga, Ured blagajnika okruga Kuk je napravio video na engleskom, španskom i poljskom na veb stranici i platformama društvenih medija.

“Pazite”, rekla je Pappas vlasnicima. “Može vam pomoći da ostanete u svom domu.”

Nedavno su zakonodavci smanjili kamatnu stopu programa za polovinu na 3%. Ranije su učesnici plaćali godišnju kamatu od 6% za fiskalne godine 2022. i ranije. Pored toga, maksimalni iznosi odlaganja i pragovi prihoda su privremeno povećani do fiskalne 2025. godine. Granica odlaganja je porasla sa 5.000 USD na 7.500 USD, dok je godišnji prag prihoda za kvalifikovanje porastao sa 55.000 USD na 65.000 USD.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Urges Seniors to Take Advantage of Property Tax Deferral Program

CHICAGO — Amid growing concerns that increases in property tax bills are pushing senior citizens to leave their homes, Cook County Treasurer María Pappas reminded senior homeowners today of a state program that allows them to defer paying their property taxes.

Senior Tax Deferral Program

The Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program allows property owners aged 65 or older to “borrow” money from the state to cover their property taxes. This program operates as a loan with a simple annual interest rate of 3%, providing financial relief to eligible seniors.

“Our senior homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their taxes,” said Pappas. “This program can make the difference among staying in their home, falling behind on their taxes or selling their home.”

To be eligible, property owners must meet the following criteria:

• Be 65 years of age or older on June 1 of the year the application is filed.

• Have an annual household income of $65,000 or less.

• Have lived in the home for the past three years.

• Have no overdue property taxes or pending special assessments.

• Have adequate fire or accident loss insurance.

The program allows deferring up to $7,500 annually in property taxes. If the bill is greater, the homeowner is responsible for paying the difference. Deferred taxes must be paid immediately upon the sale or transfer of the property, or within one year after the taxpayer’s death.

Applications for fiscal year 2024 will be available in January 2025 and must be submitted before March 1.

At cookcountytreasurer.com, under the “Seniors” tab, you can find information about the program, a link to a downloadable brochure and an application that can be printed. In addition, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office has created a video in English, Spanish, and Polish on the website and social media platforms.

“Watch it,” Pappas told owners. “It may help you stay in your home.”

Recently, lawmakers reduced the program’s interest rate by half to 3%. Previously, participants paid an annual interest rate of 6% for fiscal years 2022 and earlier. Additionally, the maximum deferral amounts and income thresholds were temporarily increased through fiscal year 2025. The deferral limit increased from $5,000 to $7,500, while the annual income threshold for eligibility rose from $55,000 to $65,000