§ 44-3-32 - Portsmouth – Tax exemption for the elderly.
SECTION 44-3-32
§ 44-3-32 Portsmouth – Tax exemptionfor the elderly. – (a) The town council of the town of Portsmouth may provide an ordinance forexemptions, partial or total, from taxation on parcels of real property locatedin the town which, as of the date of assessment, are owned and occupied whollyor partially as dwellings by persons who are citizens and residents of the townand who have attained the age of sixty-five (65) years. Each exemption is inthe form of a credit against the taxes assessed on the real property. Theamount of the credit with respect to each person is based on the annual incomeof that person. The maximum income for which each stated credit amount shall beallowed is set by the town council by resolution in January of each yearprovided that "income" includes the aggregate income of the person and allother persons residing with him or her; provided further, that "income" iscomputed on a calendar-year basis and includes all income of every nature anddescription, whether or not taxable, and whether earned or unearned, andincludes but is not limited to dividends, interest, gross rents, gains, gifts,pensions, all types of compensation, and social security and veterans'benefits. Only one exemption shall be allowed with respect to any one building;provided, that the exemption shall be allowed for single or multiple familydwellings and other buildings so long as the person resides in the dwelling.The exemption shall not be allowed unless the person entitled to it haspresented to the tax assessor on or before June 1 of each year for which theexemption is sought an application for the exemption and due evidence that heor she is entitled to it, including, for example but not by way of limitation,certified birth records, voter registration records, and statements of annualincome sworn or affirmed by the applicant before a person qualified toadminister oaths. Such information shall be kept confidential by the taxassessor.
(b) Each exemption terminates immediately:
(1) Upon the alienation of the real property;
(2) In the event the person ceases to occupy the realproperty as his or her dwelling; or
(3) Upon the death of the person.