Cranston would use tax credits for several property-tax exemptions

Cranston could provide tax credits instead of listed property-tax exemptions for eligible veterans and some surviving spouses. Covered people include qualifying veterans, unmarried widows or widowers, service-disabled veterans, and veterans who received specially adapted housing assistance. Eligibility depends on military service, discharge status, disability findings, or housing assistance described in the applicable provision. The property must meet the residency, ownership, use, and evidence requirements that apply to the specific credit. The credits would be limited to the listed annual amounts or assessed-value limits. The provisions would take effect upon passage.

Cranston could provide tax credits for legally blind residents and residents age 65 or older. The provisions cover legally blind Cranston residents and qualifying residents age 65 or older who own or occupy covered property; separate rules apply to residents without real property. Blind residents must provide qualifying medical or state certification and timely evidence to the assessors. Older residents must meet the applicable ownership, occupancy, and age requirements. The listed credits are subject to the stated annual amounts, revaluation adjustments, and administrative review. The provisions would take effect upon passage.

Cranston could provide tax credits to people whom the Social Security Administration determines are totally disabled. One provision covers totally disabled people who own no real property; another covers a disabled head of household whose home is the person’s domicile. Applicants must provide timely evidence of eligibility to the assessor. A person becomes ineligible upon reaching age 65. The credit is limited to the stated annual amount, and only one credit applies to a qualifying home under the residential-property provision. The credit cannot exceed the person’s qualifying property-tax bill or be obtained by transferring property to qualify. The provisions would take effect upon passage.