State
District of Columbia
Year
2018
Variations in Receipt of Benefit
No Variation in Receipt of Benefits
Benefit Type
Exemption
Benefit
The current benefit is an exemption of assessed value of the homestead. In 2018, this assessed value exemption totaled $73,350 and is increased annually by a cost-of-living adjustment rounded to the next lowest multiple of $50. The benefit is distributed in two installments. If the application is filed between October 1 and March 31, the applicant is eligible to receive the entire benefit. If the application is filed from April 1 to September 30, the applicant is only entitled to the second installment, and therefore, half of the total benefit.
How is Benefit Disbursed
Exemption from assessed value
Eligible Property Type
Residential
Characteristics of Eligible Property
The homestead exemption is limited to only residential properties and applies to only one lot. The property must be occupied by the landowner and can only contain 5 dwelling units or fewer. On real property with a house or a condominium, a homestead is an individual's residence that comprises a dwelling unit. The property must be owned in whole or in part by the individual, or owned in whole by a trustee under a special needs trust for the benefit of the owner. In the case of a cooperative housing association, a homestead is a shareholder's or member's residence that comprises a dwelling unit. A member or shareholder can also be the beneficiary of a special needs trust who is deemed to be the owner. A member or shareholder may rightfully own the property through ownership of stock, a membership certificate, a proprietary lease, or other evidence of membership.
Eligibility Criteria
Homeowner
Principal Residence
Description of Eligibility Criteria
Eligible property owners must be domiciled in the District and file an application with the Office of the Mayor. Precise eligibility guidelines are as follows: an application must be on file with the Office of Tax and Revenue; the property must be occupied by the owner/applicant; contain no more than five dwelling units (including the unit occupied by the owner); and the property must be the principal residence (domicile) of the owner/applicant.
Local Option in Adoption of Program
Local government is unable to exercise an option
Local Option Regarding Program Features
No local option regarding program features
State Funding for Local Tax Loss
Local government covers all of its tax loss
Record ID
DC102_RR18
Footnotes
Sources
[https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/otr/publication/attachments/FP-100%20HOMESTEAD%20RECONFIRMATION_FILL-IN%2001112018_0.pdf accessed 04/03/2019]
View Archived Source
[http://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/homesteadsenior-citizen-deduction Accessed on 04/03/2019]
View Archived Source