WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. – The Wayne County Board of Commissioners has unanimously approved a resolution calling on the North Carolina General Assembly to expand property tax relief programs for elderly and disabled residents struggling with rising property values and inflation.
Resolution 202611, introduced by Commissioner Barbara Aycock, urges state lawmakers to raise income eligibility limits for existing property tax exemption programs so more residents living on fixed incomes can qualify for assistance and remain in their homes.
Commissioners said the current income threshold for property tax exemptions is just under $37,900, limiting eligibility for many seniors and disabled homeowners facing increasing tax burdens due to rapidly rising property assessments.
Current relief options include the homestead exclusion program, which exempts either 50 percent or $25,000 of a property’s taxable value, and the circuit breaker tax deferment program. While the circuit breaker program can reduce annual tax bills, deferred taxes may become liens against the property and affect heirs in the future.
Board members expressed concern that many elderly and disabled residents are being financially squeezed despite owning homes for decades.
The resolution also calls for state leaders to review and potentially reduce certain state-mandated property tax exemptions that county leaders say negatively impact local government revenues. Commissioners specifically pointed to the 80 percent property tax exclusion for solar energy electric systems as an example of exemptions that reduce local tax collections.
County leaders said the resolution reflects broader concerns about fairness, accountability, and transparency within the property tax system while balancing the need to maintain local government services.
Residents who may qualify for elderly or disabled property tax exemptions are encouraged to contact the Wayne County Tax Office for information and assistance. Applications for exemptions are due by June 1, although late approvals may still be considered in some cases.
Commissioners indicated they expect additional legislative discussions and possible future efforts to expand and simplify tax relief options statewide.
