Bedford County Real Estate Tax Relief for Permanent and Total Disability

Bedford County's relief for elderly and disabled owners, in sections 17-51 to 17-58 of the county code, covers the dwelling and up to one acre of an owner who is 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled, meaning unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of an impairment expected to last for life or end in death. Combined income of the owners and relatives living in the home cannot exceed $50,000, with up to $5,000 of each relative's income excluded, and net worth cannot exceed $150,000, excluding the home, one acre, and furnishings. An owner under 65 attaches a certification of the disability from the Social Security Administration, "the Department of Veterans", or the Railroad Retirement Board, or two doctors' affidavits. The code caps the relief at $1,000 a year. The county's page describes it differently: 100% of the tax when the tax due is $500 or less, and 85% when it is between $500 and $1,000. Ask the Commissioner of the Revenue which figure applies to your bill. File every year between January 2 and February 28, in person at the Commissioner of the Revenue's office. It is not a VA rating of 100% service-connected, and a disabled veteran who does not meet that test can use it.