Homeowners and renters are missing out on millions of dollars in tax relief. Use the resources below to learn more.
Vermont
You may be eligible to receive money back
Vermont Program Overview
Property Tax-Aide features the Property Tax Credit, Homestead Declaration, and Renter Claim Credit programs in Vermont. Currently, there are no statewide programs specifically for older adults.
The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.
Property Tax Credit
The Vermont Property Tax Credit assists homeowners with paying their property taxes. The maximum credit is $8,000, with a maximum of $5,600 for the education property tax portion and $2,400 for the municipal property tax portion. The credit will appear as a state payment on your 2023/2024 property tax bill.
Eligibility
- Your property qualifies as a homestead and you have filed a Homestead Declaration for the current year’s grand list. (See Homestead Declaration program below) . The Grand List is the listed value established by the local assessing officials and are the values used to determine municipal taxes.
- You were domiciled in Vermont for the full prior calendar year.
- Household income includes all the funds available to support a household. It includes both taxable and nontaxable income of any persons living in your household
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer for the 2023 tax year.
- The maximum 2023 income (determined by completing Schedule HI-144) is $128,000.
Application Deadline
The due date to file Form HS-122 is April 15, 2024. Homeowners filing a property tax credit, Form HS-122, Section B, and Schedule HI-144, between April 16 and Oct. 15, 2024, may still qualify for a Property Tax Credit. A $15 late filing fee will be deducted from the credit. Generally, claims cannot be accepted after Oct. 15, 2024.
Required Documentation
- The claim for Property Tax Credit (HS 122) must be filed annually along with the Household Income Schedule HI-144. Household income includes all the funds available to support a household. It includes both taxable and nontaxable income.
- Homestead Declaration is required and is Section A of the Vermont Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claim Form HS-122.
- Information from the property tax is needed, including house site value, house site education tax and house site municipal tax and household income.
- Completed Federal Income Tax return (Federal Form 1040) and all schedules, if applying by mail.
- You can submit your claim electronically when you file your Vermont Income Tax return.
Additional Information & Resources
For additional information
Vermont Property Tax Credit Brochure
For additional questions:
Contact Vermont Department of Taxes at [email protected]
or (802) 828-2865 or (866) 828-2865 (toll-free in Vermont).
File your claim electronically with your Vermont Income Tax return by clicking this link: https://myvtax.vermont.gov/_/
Or, download a paper application here, or click the link under the “Your Resources” tab found on this page. Please note that form HS-122 is used for both the Homestead Declaration and the Property Tax Credit Claim.
Homestead Declaration
In Vermont, all property is subject to education property tax to pay for the state’s schools. For the education property tax, property is categorized as either homestead or nonhomestead. All property is considered nonhomestead, unless it is declared as a homestead. The education property tax rate levied on homestead differs from the rate levied on non-homestead property.
The homeowner is responsible to claim the property as homestead and must apply annually.
The homeowner is responsible to claim the property as homestead and must apply annually.
Eligibility
- You are a Vermont resident and have owned and occupied the homestead as your domicile as of April 1, 2024 If the homestead is leased to a tenant on April 1, 2024, you may still claim it as a homestead if it is leased for no more than 182 days in the 2024 calendar year.
- The property cannot be used as a second home, camp, vacation, or summer cottage.
Application Deadline
- The Homestead Declaration for 2024 is due April 15 and no later than October 15,2024. Your municipality may assess a penalty after the April due date.
- The penalty is up to 3% if the nonhomestead rate is higher than the homestead education property tax rate or up to 8% if the nonhomestead education property tax rate is lower than the homestead rate.
- The application must be submitted annually.
- Application can be filed electronically or by mail.
Required Documentation
- Application form HS-122, which includes social security number, School Property Account Number
Additional Information & Resources
You can file your return using myVTax https://myvtax.vermont.gov/_/
Or, download a paper application here, or click the link under the “Your Resources” tab found on this page. Please note that form HS-122 is used for both the Homestead Declaration and the Property Tax Credit Claim.
For additional information:
Vermont Homestead Declaration Brochure
For additional questions:
Contact Vermont Department of Taxes at [email protected]
or (802) 828-2865 or (866) 828-2865 (toll-free in Vermont).
Renter Credit Claim
Vermont renter may be eligible for tax credit depending on their income, family size, and county of residency. The Renter Credit Program refunds eligible renters a portion of their rent paid based on HUD fair market rent guidelines.
For the purposes of the renter credit, income starts with federal adjusted gross income, then adds back certain trade or business losses, exempt interest, 75% of exempt Social Security benefits, and certain adjustments to gross income. Renters may be eligible for the credit if they have rented for at least six calendar months during the taxable year, although the months rented are not required to be consecutive.
For the purposes of the renter credit, income starts with federal adjusted gross income, then adds back certain trade or business losses, exempt interest, 75% of exempt Social Security benefits, and certain adjustments to gross income. Renters may be eligible for the credit if they have rented for at least six calendar months during the taxable year, although the months rented are not required to be consecutive.
Eligibility
- The renter must be domiciled in Vermont for the entire calendar year 2023
- The renter cannot be claimed in 2023 as a dependent of another taxpayer.
- The renter must have rented in Vermont for at least six months in 2023
- You meet the income eligibility limits based on your family size (a link to the income tables is provided below)
Application Deadline
Your application must be filed no later than the Oct. 15 filing deadline. Returns received after this date cannot be accepted.
Required Documentation
- Completed Vermont Renter Credit Claim
- Your landlord is required to file a Renter Certificate (Form RCC-146) for your application to be honored.
- You are required to enter the School Property Account Number (SPAN) for the place you rented on December 31, 2023, or the last place you rented.
- If you did not file a federal income tax Form 1040, you will have to provide income information.
Additional Information & Resources
More information can be found on the official Renter Claim webpage
Table: Income Limits by County
The Renter Credit Claim can be filed electronically through your tax software or directly in myVTax.
Paper Returns: To file a paper claim, download a copy of form RCC-146, Renter Credit Claim or you may request paper forms be mailed to you.
Mail the completed form to:
Vermont Department of Taxes
P.O. Box 1881
Montpelier, VT 05601-1645
For questions about filing a renter credit claim: contact [email protected] or call (802) 828-2865 or (866) 828-2865.
SPAN Finder
Enter an address in the search bar to find the School Property Account Number (SPAN) of a property. Open the SPAN finder in new window.
Your Resources
Your state accepts digital and mailed applications
Property Tax-Aide has independently selected the property tax relief programs featured on this website that we think are the most relevant and beneficial to older adults. It is not an exhaustive list of all property tax relief programs available in each state. Please consult your local tax agency for a comprehensive listing of property tax relief programs in your area.