Town Hopes to Increase Participation in Tax Relief Program

The rising cost of living in towns like Simsbury has taken a toll on an increasing number of elderly residents who live on a fixed income. Town officials are hoping to reach out to more seniors who could benefit from increased tax credits this year. 

To assist senior residents struggling with rising costs, both the state and town participate in the Senior Tax Relief program which provides individuals and couples who are 65 and older with income-based credits towards their annual taxes.

Deputy First Selectman John Hampton held a question and answer session with over 20 residents at Eno Memorial Hall on Wednesday to go over the program.

Hampton said many seniors haven't taken advantage of the program either because they aren't aware of it or they are concerned about sharing confidential information.

"In our discussions we found that people simply don't know we have a current tax relief program in place and that we've had it for a while,"  Hampton said.

The town hopes to reach more of the approximately 4,000 seniors and estimates only 16 percent of eligible seniors have participated in the program.

To qualify for the program the individual must be 65 years or older as of December 31, 2011; must have been a resident of Simsbury prior to July 1, 2011; personally own and reside in the home to be credited, or have life use; reside in Simsbury for more than half the year; have a total income of $49,500 or less in 2011.

Hampton said the board of selectmen pushed to increase the income limit to $53,000 this year but the proposal was rejected by the board of finance. The board of finance did approve an increase of $67,950 to the available tax credits. The board of selectmen will vote on the issue again on Monday night at 7 p.m.

If approved, eligible taxpayers would receive an additional $100-$250 in credits based on their income. The program also gives credits to war veterans, disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of deceased veterans.

Bert Kaplan, an 81-year-old Korean War veteran said the combined state and local veteran tax credit of $1,500 would not translate into any relief for him.

"My pet peeve has been indexing the veterans deductions," Kaplan said. 

"When I got here in 1978 $1,500 meant something, now it's $45 of your taxes," Kaplan said. "Fortunately I'm in a position where I don't have to worry about it." 

Wanda Colman first learned of the program during a visit to the assessor's office last year but wasn't eligible until now.

"Anything that helps me stay in my home I believe is fair- it would cost a lot more if I was somewhere else," Colman said. "I bought this house with the hopes of dying here."

This will also be the first year Terry Salls will qualify for the program. After the meeting Salls planned to take a look at her taxes to find out if she meets the program requirements.

"I was more concerned with what is going to happen down the road, if I can stay in my house," Salls said. 

Seniors interested in participating in the program can visit the town assessor's office with their 2011 tax returns to apply. The program deadline is May 15.