In 2015, 940 Arlington households took advantage of a tax relief program for seniors, thus avoiding $4.2 million in real estate taxes.
A new working group appointed by the County Manager will be conducting a “comprehensive review” of that program.
The program is currently offered to homeowners age 65 or older, with an annual income of up to $99,472 and household assets (excluding the home itself) up to $340,000. Depending on the income level and assets, the homeowners may qualify for a full or partial exemption. A deferral of taxes until the home changes ownership is available for any portion that’s not exempt.
The County Board included funds in the latest county budget for a review of the program.
“In conducting research for the [Affordable Housing Master Plan], the County found that many low-income senior households on fixed incomes face financial stress related to increasing condominium fee and real estate tax burdens,” said the new Real Estate Tax Relief Working Group charge. “The AHMP’s accompanying Implementation Framework included a recommendation to review the goals and guidelines of the RETR Program, and to consider redefinition of income levels, asset levels, and criteria for exemptions and deferrals.”
In the recent Arlington County Board primary, Board Chair Libby Garvey was criticized by Democratic challenger Erik Gutshall for supposedly “threatening the ability of our most vulnerable seniors to live in Arlington.”
Garvey explained that she wants to lower the eligibility barriers for the tax deferral program. She hinted, however, that the full tax exemption might be under additional scrutiny, as it can “provide quite a windfall” to a homeowner’s heirs once the home is sold.
The working group is tasked with presenting its final recommendations this winter, ahead of the Fiscal Year 2018 budget process.
The full county press release, after the jump.
Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz reported today to the County Board on the official charge for a Real Estate Tax Relief Working Group that will perform a comprehensive review of the County’s program.
“We all acknowledge that Arlington’s rising property values and related increase in the property tax burden is sometimes difficult for seniors on a fixed-income to deal with,” Schwartz said. “This working group will be taking a hard look at our current program and present recommendations early next year on what, if any, changes should be made to better achieve our goal of supporting residents, where we can, who wish to age in place.”
The working group, which will be appointed by the County Manager this month and report to him on its findings, is charged with:
- Researching and reviewing best practices across the nation related to real estate tax relief.
Engaging and informing the community and relevant stakeholders of the group’s ongoing efforts and discussions.- Determining if there may be Arlingtonians who qualify for real estate tax relief but are not currently participating in the program, and providing recommendations for what could be done differently to effectively reach these residents.
- Collaborating with a consultant to conduct surveys and/or focus groups to gauge the program’s historical success in reaching eligible Arlingtonians and enabling these residents to stay in their homes, and to ascertain what changes (if any) would allow the program to better address elderly and disabled Arlingtonians’ needs.
- Using identified best practices and survey/focus group results to inform an analysis of the current program’s approach to enabling elderly and disabled Arlingtonians to stay in their homes.
- Providing recommendations on how to best structure and administer the program in Arlington moving forward.
Read the charge to the working group, which includes timeline and proposed members.
In Fiscal Year 2015, 911 households received a full or partial exemption and 29 households received only deferrals, resulting in a combined $4.2 million in uncollected revenue.
The County reviews criteria for the Tax Relief Program annually as part of the County budget process. The working group will conduct a broader review involving the community. One of the key recommendations of the Affordable Housing Master Plan adopted by the County Board in September 2015 was to review the goals and guidelines of the program, and to consider redefinition of income levels, asset levels and criteria for exemptions and deferrals.
Virginia localities are authorized to provide real estate tax relief to homeowners aged 65 or over, as well as to permanently disabled homeowners.
- The current Arlington County Tax Relief Program provides an exemption or deferral from real estate taxes for qualified Arlington homeowners whose annual household income is below $99,472, and whose household assets (excluding the value of their Arlington home) are below $340,000.
- A household may receive a full, 50 percent or 25 percent exemption depending on income, assets and household size. For households receiving a partial exemption, the non-exempt portion of the tax may be deferred.
- Homeowners within the income guidelines who have assets over $340,000 but below $540,000 may defer payment of their real estate taxes until their property changes ownership.
- No interest or penalty fees are charged.
The County Manager will appoint a limited-term advisory body, the Real Estate Tax Relief Working Group, which will consist of a chair and vice-chair, along with members representing the following:
- Commission on Aging
- Disability Advisory Commission
- Fiscal Affairs Advisory Commission
- Housing Commission
- Member(s)-at-large
- Real Estate Tax Relief Program participant(s)
The working group will produce a final report on its key findings in early 2017. The report could include recommendations for eligibility, structural, administrative and other changes to the existing program.
Recent Stories

Synetic Theater Camps are a wildly fun, highly accessible choice for young people who love moving, playing games, and making memories. Registration is open now for Summer Camps (sessions June 20-August 25) and there are even a few spots left for Spring Break camp, April 3-7.
Located in National Landing, these performance-based camps are designed for students of all ages – no theater or performance experience required.
Led by professional teaching artists, campers learn acting, movement, and technical theater skills through the lens of Physical Theater. Physical Theater incorporates acting, movement, dance, mime, and acrobatics. If you’ve seen a Cirque du Soleil performance, you’ll find many similarities.
Most first-time campers are new to the performing arts, and teaching artists are well-versed in engaging students at all levels. Parents and campers report that one of the best parts of Synetic is the community, with many families returning year after year because they feel a strong sense of belonging.

EDBS Dental Billing Solutions is pleased to announce that it has achieved compliance with the federally mandated standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) through the use of Compliancy Group’s proprietary HIPAA methodology, The Guard® compliance tracking software, and HIPAA Seal of Compliance®.
The HIPAA Seal of Compliance is issued to organizations that have implemented an effective HIPAA compliance program through the use of The Guard, Compliancy Group’s proprietary compliance tracking solution.
Clients and patients are becoming more aware of the requirements of HIPAA compliance and how the regulation protects their personal information. Forward-thinking providers like EDBS Dental Billing Solutions choose the HIPAA Seal of Compliance to differentiate their services.
“Since the nature of our business being exclusively remote, we take HIPAA compliance very seriously. With the help of Compliancy Group, we are able to take steps to fortify our systems to protect PHI information and familiarize each employee about HIPAA and how we can further safeguard PHI data.” said EDBS Dental Billing Solutions founder Goldie De Leon.
WHS Spring Festival
Join us at the WHS Spring Festival on April 22, 2023, from 10am- 3pm at Wakefield High School(main parking lot). Come out to shop, play, and eat!
Shop local vendors, arts & crafts, new and used items, food vendors/trucks, and
District 27 Toastmasters 2023 Virtual Conference
District 27 Toastmasters invites you to its annual conference where you can hear phenomenal speakers, attend professional development and personal growth seminars about leadership, negotiation, communication, teamwork, and mentorship. Learn how to develop your personal story and how to improve