So far this tax year, the Shelby County Trustee’s office seems to be fielding fewer applications for state-funded tax relief as well as the county-sponsored tax freeze program. But that doesn’t have Trustee Regina Morrison Newman worried yet.

Each program requires those who qualify to reapply each year in order to verify their income.

There is still time to do that. Signed applications must be received by the Trustee’s office before April 5 but, for faster processing, it’s recommended to return them by Dec. 31.

However, only 584 tax relief applications, totaling $209,779.37, have been submitted to the state for payment from Shelby County as of Sept. 30.

Regina Morrison Newman

“I’m quite sure that those are not all the eligible people in the county,” said Newman, noting for tax year 2008, which ended June 30, the Trustee’s office submitted more than 8,400 tax relief applications to the state for approval. Of those, 6,768 applications, totaling just more than $1.7 million, were either approved or are pending.

For the tax year 2008, the office received 13,054 tax freeze applications, approving 9,525 and voiding 3,529. As of Sept. 30, 7,677 tax freeze applications have been received, 1,004 approved and 120 voided.

The number of applicants should be higher, especially for tax relief considering the Tennessee Legislature has once again increased income limits, meaning more people can qualify for the benefit.

That’s why Newman and her staff are working hard to get the word out.

They are attending church services, community events and basically going wherever needed – and at whatever time – to reach those who could benefit from the tax relief and tax freeze programs.

Bobby Grandberry

“Saturdays. Sunday afternoons. Before and after Bible study, it doesn’t matter,” said Bobby Grandberry, the Trustee’s legislative liaison who oversees community outreach efforts.

“Any place or opportunity that you can expect seniors to reasonably be, that’s where we are.”

Tax relief benefits are available to those seniors who are 65 and older, disabled citizens, disabled veterans or surviving spouses of disabled veterans, and surviving spouses of military personnel killed in action.

Tax relief benefits never have to be repaid.

The number of applicants has risen every year since 2006 because the state Legislature has increased the income limit in line with cost-of-living adjustments.

For tax year 2009-2010, the combined income limit for senior and disabled citizens and their spouses is $25,360, up from $24,790 last year, according to the state.

For 2009, the maximum benefit for elderly and disabled is $251.25 for those inside Memphis and $253.75 for those outside of Memphis.

The maximum benefit is higher for disabled veterans, surviving spouses of disabled veterans and surviving spouses of soldiers killed at war because there is no income limit.

For 2009, the maximum benefit for these applicants is $1,758.75 for those inside Memphis and $1,776.25 for those outside of Memphis.

Shelby County began participating in the tax freeze program in 2008. It’s the only county in West Tennessee offering the tax freeze program, Newman said.

It’s available for those 65 years and older, who own their primary residence and whose annual combined income with their spouses did not exceed $33,340 in 2008.

The program freezes for new applicants the 2010 tax amount on residential property taxes based on the tax amount from 2009. For those who were approved for the tax freeze the previous year, their 2010 taxes can remain frozen for the base year in which they were approved.

It is possible to apply for both programs at the same time.

Tax relief and tax freeze applications can be received by mail, phone, in person or online at shelbycountytrustee.com. For more information, call 521-1829.