Arlington County Real Estate Tax Relief for Permanent and Total Disability

Arlington's Real Estate Tax Relief program exempts or defers real estate tax for a homeowner who is 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, and who meets the income and asset table. The Department of Human Services runs it. The disability has to leave the person unable to do substantial gainful activity. A person who is substantially gainfully employed does not qualify, even with a disability letter. Certification can come from Social Security, VA, the Railroad Retirement Board, or two Virginia physicians, and one affidavit has to be based on a physical examination. A veteran with a 100% service-connected, total, and permanent disability should use the disabled-veteran exemption instead. This program is the path for a disabled homeowner who does not meet that test. Relief for the current year uses the prior year's income. The value of the home is not counted as an asset. The 2026 table is: Full exemption: income up to $63,104 and assets up to $515,200. 75%: income from $63,104.01 to $77,022, assets up to $515,200. 50%: income from $77,022.01 to $91,149, assets up to $515,200. 25%: income from $91,149.01 to $112,187, assets up to $515,200. Deferral: income from $112,187.01 to $139,551, assets up to $515,200. Deferral: income up to $139,551 and assets from $515,200.01 to $695,519. The deadline to apply is November 16. An application in by March 31 can be reflected on a timely bill. If the disability begins during 2026, relief covers the full months after it begins. Late applications may be accepted for hardship.