The $75,000 income cap and 25 percent tax cut will be the first areas of review for the task force charged with examining the impact of a new senior tax credit in Howard.
The Howard County Council passed a resolution Tuesday creating the task force, after amending the measure to divide the tasks into short- and long-term goals.
“We?re trying to be responsible and methodical in our approach [so] it doesn?t try to accomplish too much in a short time,” said Council Member Greg Fox, R-District 5.
The group must make recommendations by Feb. 22, in case the council wants to change the law, passed unanimously in October, which grants a 25 percent tax break to seniors age 70 and older making less than $75,000 a year. The groupwill have until November to review how many people take advantage of the tax cut and how it has affected the county budget. The group will also “monitor changes to state law that relate to senior tax policy and review similar credits in other Maryland counties,” the resolution states.
For example, Del. Gail Bates, R-District 9A, said she plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming session that would give seniors over the age of 65 and making less than the county?s median household income 30 percent to 50 percent off their property tax, depending on how long they owned their house.
Some council members had expressed concern that the task force wouldn?t have enough time to make relevant recommendations before the law takes effect in July.
The limited scope should allow the group to come up with relevant recommendations, said Council Member Courtney Watson, D-District 2.
Senior tax credit task force
According to the resolution passed Tuesday, several groups will select members to serve on the council?s senior tax credit task force:
» Each County Council member will name one member.
» County executive will name two members recommended by the Office on Aging, two by the Commission on Aging and one nonvoting member each by the Finance Department and the Office of Budget.
» Howard County Citizens Association, Howard County Economic Development Authority, Association of Community Services, League of Women Voters of Howard County, Howard County Taxpayers Association will each appoint one member.
» Maryland chapter of the AARP will name a county resident.
