Montgomery County officials are continuing their push to get homeowners and senior citizens to take advantage of tax credit programs designed to help combat the rising cost of living in the county.
So far this year, they have sponsored a public education campaign on Ride On buses, posted fliers in county facilities and mailed notices to homeowners earlier in the year publicizing the program.
Last year, 4,704 Montgomery County homeowners took advantage of tax credits for people with low incomes.
The program participants had an average gross income of about $30,000 and received an average credit of more than $685 each.
“Plenty of our residents, especially our seniors and those on fixed incomes, are ‘house rich’ but ‘cash poor,’ ” County Executive Ike Leggett said in a written statement. “Last year, nearly 5,000 homeowners received this tax credit. I’d like to see that number double this year. …”
Rockville resident Sylvia Klansek said she participated in the homeowner tax credit program last year.
“I’m a retired lady, divorced and retired, actually,” said Klansek, 78. “The savings that I get on that tax credit are a tremendous help for me.”
Klansek said she still works one day a week as a paralegal in the county attorney’s office to be able to continue to live in Montgomery.
“I’ve been in this house for 37 years,” Klansek said. “Prices in general in Montgomery County have escalated way, way over what they were then. I like the neighborhood, the house and my neighbors, and I don’t want to leave the city or my neighborhood because I can’t afford things anymore. The credit helps.”
The deadline to apply for the credit is Oct. 31.
Applications should be filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.
