The bill amends the General Property Tax Act to provide clearer guidelines for property tax exemptions based on poverty. It establishes that individuals who are deemed unable to contribute to public charges due to poverty may be eligible for a full or partial exemption from property taxes on their principal residence. The bill specifies that to qualify for this exemption, individuals must own and occupy the property, file a claim with the local board of review, and meet federal poverty guidelines. Additionally, it mandates that local assessing units make their policies and guidelines for granting exemptions publicly available.

Key changes in the bill include the requirement for individuals to affirm their ownership and occupancy status in writing, and the introduction of a provision allowing local assessing units to extend exemptions without reapplication for certain individuals receiving fixed public assistance income. The bill also outlines the process for rescinding exemptions if a person's eligibility changes and establishes audit requirements for local assessing units to ensure compliance with exemption criteria. Overall, the amendments aim to streamline the exemption process while ensuring that only eligible individuals benefit from property tax relief.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 211.7