City of Burlington Property Tax Lag Relief Program
On December 13, 2021 the City Council approved a one-time property tax relief program to relieve the one-year burden of the lookback in the State-mandated reappraisal process. On May 9, 2022 the City council expanded the eligibility criteria for this program.
In order to be eligible for the property tax relief program, taxpayers must meet the following qualifications:
- 1. Property owners must have filed their VT Homestead Declaration and be receiving a VT Property Tax Credit of at least $1,200 in FY22.
- 2. Property must have an increase of assessment of at least 40% from FY21 to FY22.
- 3. Assessed property value in FY22 must be $550,000 or less.
- 4. Must have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 on or after January 21, 2020.
Any property that met the first 3 criteria have been sent a letter. All letters were mailed between 5/12/22 and 5/16/22.
To receive the credit, the taxpayer must do the following:
- Mark the first checkbox in the letter confirming that they meet all criteria listed and are therefore eligible for the funds.
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- Print their name and phone number, sign the letter, and return it to the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office by June 30, 2022 (this can be done using the self-addressed envelope included with the mailing, or mail to 149 Church Street, Burlington, VT 05401).
When confirmed to qualify, all relief funds will be credited directly to the taxpayer’s property tax account and they will be sent a follow-up letter in the mail with the amount granted.
For further information, please contact the Clerk/Treasurer’s Office at (802) 865-7000 or propertytaxes@burlingtonvt.gov.
The City of Burlington does not want anyone to pay more in taxes than required. There are property tax credit programs for most residential property owners in Burlington. Burlington residents whom declare their Burlington home as their primary residence are eligible for the Homestead Tax. Approximately, 70% of Burlington property owners whom declare their homestead to the State of Vermont receive a credit on their Burlington tax bill. We hope that you take advantage of these State of Vermont programs. Please complete the State of Vermont tax form called HS-122.You may be eligible for an income-based property tax credit by submitting the HI-144 form. More information on both programs is available at: https://tax.vermont.gov/tax-forms-and-publications/individuals
Please note that when you apply for a property tax adjustment you report your property taxes from the current fiscal year (at the time of tax filing) and your household income from the prior calendar year in this State-run program and for that reason, many people say there is a “lag” or “lookback” in the property tax adjustment system. You can find out more at: https://tax.vermont.gov/property/education-property-tax-rates/faqs
If you have questions about your Homestead or Property Tax Credit Claim:
- Call the State of Vermont Tax Department at 866-828-2865/802-828-2865
- Or visit https://tax.vermont.gov/directory and click the Individual Income Taxes link to e-mail an inquiry.