House would ask Delaware counties to study tax freezes for seniors

The House would ask each county to study whether a property tax freeze for seniors is workable. The request covers New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties and seniors whose main home is in the county. Each county would set the household income limit for any freeze it considers. After the study, the House would encourage each county to discuss whether to adopt a freeze.

The House would suggest a possible tax freeze plan for counties to consider. The suggested plan covers Delaware residents who are at least 65 by July 1 of the tax year and have owned and lived in the same main home in the county for at least three straight years. Counties would set a household income cap no higher than 80% of the area's median income. Freezing school taxes would need school board approval. Homeowners would need to remain eligible and confirm that eligibility every two years. Most ownership changes would end the freeze, but a transfer to an eligible spouse could preserve it. Improvements that raise the home's assessed value by more than 25% could change the frozen amount. The age test applies by July 1 of the tax year, and the three years of home ownership and residence must come before that tax year.