Homestead exemptions available for Kentucky seniors, disabled | News

As a result of an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution, residential property owners who are 65 years or older are eligible for an exemption. Some can save thousands of dollars by filing before the end of the year.

When it started sometime in the 1960's the amount of the exemption was only $6500.  Now it is $34,000.  Mobile homes also qualify for the exemption.

The following guidelines apply to this Homestead Exemption:

The applicant must be the recorded owner of the property as of January 1 and must reside at the property listed on the application; only one exemption per residence is allowed.

The applicant must be 65 years of age or older during the year for which the application is filed.

The applicant needs to present appropriate documents, which confirm the age of the applicant.  Documents, which would be appropriate to confirm the age of the applicant, include the following:

1. Drivers License
2. Birth Certificate
3. School records
4. Marriage records
5. Medicare card issued by Social Security

Persons who qualify for the exemption do not have to reapply each year after filing the initial application. However, they must come in and file a new application if they move since the exemption will not automatically be transferred to their new residence.

The Exemption for Totally Disabled Persons

As the result of an amendment to the Kentucky Constitution, residential property owners who are 100% totally disabled are eligible for an exemption. The following guidelines apply to the disability exemption:

1. The applicant for this exemption must reside in and own the property covered by the exemption by Jan. 1 of that year; only one exemption per residence is allowed.
2. The applicant must present appropriate documents of letters, which confirm the 100% total disability classification of the applicant.
   An application for the exemption must be filed in the Property Valuation Administrator's Office ONLY in the month of December for the current calendar year.
   All letters must be dated in the month of December by the agency confirming the applicant's disability.

Those who do not confirm that they are still totally disabled each year, will be sent a supplemental property tax bill for the exemption already credited on the taxpayer’s account.

Contact your county's government office to see if you qualify for either of these exemptions.