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1998 SESSION


CHAPTER 361
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 58.1-3211 and 58.1-3506.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to exemption of taxes on property of certain elderly and handicapped persons.
[S 677]
Approved April 11, 1998

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 58.1-3211 and 58.1-3506.2 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 58.1-3211. Restrictions and exemptions.

Any exemption or deferral program enacted by a county, city or town pursuant to § 58.1-3210 shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

1. a. Subject to subdivision 1 b of this section, the total combined income received from all sources during the preceding calendar year by (i) owners of the dwelling who use it as their principal residence and (ii) owners' relatives who live in the dwelling, shall not exceed the greater of $30,000, or the income limits based upon family size for the respective metropolitan statistical area, annually published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualifying for federal housing assistance pursuant to § 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z). Any amount up to $6,500 of income of each relative who is not the spouse of an owner living in the dwelling and who does not qualify for the exemption provided by subdivision 1 b hereof may be excluded from the total combined income calculation. The local government may also exclude up to $7,500 of income for an owner who is permanently disabled.

b. Notwithstanding subdivision 1 a of this section, if a person qualifies for an exemption or deferral under this article, and if the person can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the person's physical or mental health has deteriorated to the point that the only alternative to permanently residing in a hospital, nursing home, convalescent home or other facility for physical or mental care is to have a relative move in and provide care for the person, and if a relative does then move in for that purpose, then none of the income of the relative or of the relative's spouse shall be counted towards the income limit, provided the owner of the residence has not transferred assets in excess of $5,000 without adequate consideration within a three-year period prior to or after the relative moves into such residence.

2. The net combined financial worth, including the present value of all equitable interests, as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, of the owners, and of the spouse of any owner, excluding the value of the dwelling and the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated shall not exceed $100,000. The local government may also exclude furnishings. Such furnishings shall include furniture, household appliances and other items typically used in a home.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1 and 2, in any county, city or town having a 1980 population of more than 500,000; any county, city or town adjacent thereto; the Cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach; the Counties of Chesterfield, Fauquier, Henrico, and Stafford; and the Town of Leesburg, the board of supervisors or council may, by ordinance, raise the income and financial worth limitations for any exemption or deferral program to a maximum of $40,000 the greater of $52,000 or the income limits based upon family size for the respective metropolitan statistical area, annually published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualifying for federal housing assistance pursuant to § 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z), for the total combined income amount, and $150,000 $195,000 for the maximum net combined financial worth amount which shall exclude the value of the dwelling and the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated. Any amount up to $6,500 of income of each relative who is not the spouse of an owner living in the dwelling may be excluded under this subdivision.

4. For purposes of this article, income shall mean total gross income from all sources, without regard to whether a tax return is actually filed. Income shall not include life insurance benefits or receipts from borrowing or other debt.

§ 58.1-3506.2. Restrictions and conditions.

Any difference in the rates for purposes of this section shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

1. The total combined income received, excluding the first $7,500 of income, at the option of the local government, from all sources during the preceding calendar year by the owner of the motor vehicle shall not exceed the greater of $30,000 or the income limits based on family size for the respective metropolitan statistical area, annually published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualifying for federal housing assistance pursuant to § 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z).

2. The owner's net financial worth, including the present value of all equitable interests, as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, excluding the value of the principal residence and the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated, shall not exceed $75,000. The local government may also exclude such furnishings as furniture, household appliances and other items typically used in a home.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions 1 and 2 of this section, in any county, city or town having a 1990 population of more than 500,000 and any county, city or town adjacent thereto or the Cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk or Virginia Beach, the County of Chesterfield, or the Town of Leesburg, the board of supervisors or council may, by ordinance, raise the income and financial worth limitations for any reductions under this article to a maximum of $40,000 the greater of $52,000 or the income limits based upon family size for the respective metropolitan statistical area, published annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for qualifying for federal housing assistance pursuant to § 235 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z), for the total combined income amount, and $150,000 $195,000 for the maximum net financial worth amount which shall exclude the value of the principal residence and the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is located.

4. All income and net worth limitations shall be computed by aggregating the income and assets, as the case may be, of a husband and wife who reside in the same dwelling and shall be applied to any owner of the motor vehicle who seeks the benefit of the preferential tax rate permitted under this article, irrespective of how such motor vehicle may be titled.