The deadline is approaching for low-income seniors and disabled homeowners involved in the state's property-tax postponement program.
State Controller Kathleen Connell said that Dec. 11 is the due date for the first installment in the program, which allows qualified homeowners to postpone or defer all or part of their local property taxes.
The program provides low-interest loans to senior and disabled homeowners with annual incomes of $24,000 or less so they can pay their residential property taxes.
Participants in the program are not required to pay back the loans unless the homeowner dies, sells the home, moves out and leaves no qualified participant, or lets the property taxes become delinquent.
Connell estimated that more than 900,000 California homeowners qualify for the program, yet only about 13,000 participated last year.
Low-income seniors and disabled homeowners often lose their homes because they can't pay their property taxes, Connell said.
"[This program] can make a difference," she said.
More information and applications for the property-tax postponement program are available at county tax collector's offices, public libraries, senior centers and volunteer taxpayer assistance centers throughout the state.
In addition, qualified homeowners can call the state controller's office at (800) 952-5661 or write to State Controller Kathleen Connell, Property Tax Postpone-ment Program, P.O. Box 942005, Sacramento, 94250-2005.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, Wed., December 6, 1995.
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