(l-r) Erica Gilmore and Clifton Harris
In a historic partnership with the Urban League of Middle Tennessee, the Nashville NAACP, the office of the Metropolitan Trustee, and Tennessee Titans announce the Nashville Home: A Property Tax Freeze Awareness Campaign.
The program, which is administered by the Trustee’s office, for eligible seniors 65 and older who are property owners that have a total household income that does not exceed $44,510 are encouraged to apply for the program. To date, there are more than 6,000 Davidson County seniors enrolled in the program.
Metro Trustee Erica Gilmore says that the program is about helping to keep older people in their homes.
“Our seniors are very special to us as well and we want to keep a balanced city,” She said. “If a person’s property taxes was $1000 last year and say the value of their property increase and made it $2,500, if they filled out an application and it was approved with the metropolitan trustees office last year their taxes would still be $1000”.
According to Urban league of Middle Tennessee President and CEO, Clifton Harris, maintaining homeownership is key to wealth building.
“It’s also about creating generational wealth for individuals and creating a legacy for our children and our children’s children,” said Harris.
The tax freeze program was approved by Tennessee voters in a November, 2006 constitutional amendment referendum. The Tax Freeze Act of 2007 permits local governments to implement the program, and Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County became the first jurisdiction in the state to establish a tax freeze program.
Under the program, qualifying homeowners age 65 and older can “freeze” the tax due on their property at the amount for the year they qualify, even if tax rates increase. Homeowners must have been 65 by December 31 of the tax year for which they are applying. Applicants must present:
Proof of age – birth certificate, Medicare card, driver’s license, passport, etc.;
Proof of ownership – current tax bill or receipt, recorded deed, etc.;
Evidence property is principal residence – voter registration card, etc.
Further, income records must be provided showing the total income of all owners of the property during 2020 does not exceed $44,510 for Davidson County. Income records include Federal tax returns with all back-up documentation, or other income documents, such as a 1099 and a bank statement, if no tax return is filed.All applicants must sign an income verification form permitting the Trustee to contact IRS, SSA or the State Division of Property Assessment to verify income. The application is a public record, but the financial documents remain confidential.
According to the Trustee’s website: “Our office begins accepting applications to freeze taxes at the current amount due every October, and the deadline to apply for Tax Freeze is the following April 5
“New applicants must come to our office, but no appointment is required. Bring the required documents to the Office of the Trustee and please arrive by 3:00 p.m.
If you need additional information concerning the program, please feel free to call us with any questions at 615-862-6330.”
