FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

September 3, 2004

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FORMS NOW AVAILABLE

            Application forms for the real property tax relief program for homeowners 55 years and older are now available at room 115 of Honolulu Hale and at all Satellite City Halls through October 30.

            The deadline for filing a claim for the 2003-04 tax year is October 30.

            Property owners who are 55 years of age or older may be eligible for a partial refund on their real property taxes paid during the 2003-04 tax year if they meet all of the following requirements:

• They have a multiple home exemption on their property during the 2003-04 tax year.
• The total household income does not exceed $20,000 for the calendar year 2003.  (“Household income” means all taxable and non-taxable income for all persons living on the property, except for bonafide lessees, renters and boarders.)
• The amount of the 2003-04 real property tax must exceed five percent (5%) of the total household property income.  Property tax is subject to proration if there is more than one dwelling on the property or if any part of the property is used for rental or business.

For more information, call the current collections staff at 523-4856.

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