Real Estate Tax Relief

Real estate Tax Exemption for the Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse

If you are a disabled veteran or surviving spouse you may qualify for an exemption from Real Estate Tax if you reside in the City of Charlottesville and the related criteria below is met:

Qualifications Required for the Real Estate Tax Exemption

For the veteran:

1. The veteran must have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency to have a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability.
2. Real estate must be owned (solely or jointly) by veteran.
3. Real estate must be occupied by the veteran as his/her primary place of residence.

For the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran:

1. Must have been married to the veteran on or after January 1, 2011 .
2. The death of the veteran must have occurred on or after January 1, 2011.
3. In order to qualify for exemption surviving spouse must not remarry.
4. The spouse may now relocate within the Commonwealth of Virginia, provided that the residence is the principal place of residence and all other qualifications are met.

For the surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in combat:

1. Must have been married to the qualified service member on or after January 1, 2015.
2. The death of the qualified service member must have occurred in combat. 
3. In order to qualify for exemption surviving spouse must not remarry.

Application Form:

• Disabled Veteran’s Real Estate Tax Exemption Application (PDF) 

Charlottesville Homeowner Assistance Program (CHAP)

In an effort to promote and preserve homeownership, the Charlottesville City Council offers grants of assistance to qualifying low- and moderate-income homeowners. These grants are intended to assist qualifying recipients with the ongoing costs of homeownership. The application period for this program runs from July 1 .

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a legal owner AND occupant of the residential property as of January 1 of the current year;
• Applicant, spouse, and co-owners residing in the home cannot own any other real estate;
• The current year assessed value on applicant’s residential property is $420,000 or less;
• Applicant’s household income using IRS Federal Adjusted Gross Income (FAGI) for the 2021 tax year is $60,000 or less;
• You must not be currently enrolled in the Real Estate Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled.  

Documentation needed:

• Applicant must provide a copy of 2021 IRS Form 1040 for any adult relatives and/or co-owners residing in the home.
• If the applicant or any adult relatives or co-owners residing in the home are not required to file (or have not yet filed) 2021 IRS 1040 tax return, further steps and supporting documents will be required.

Online Application:

Before you begin the application online, be sure to have all necessary documentation ready to upload electronically.  The form will not save your progress for you to return later.

1. Click the online application form link to fill out the form online.
2. Click here to open online application form, fill out the form online, and submit.

Fillable Application Form:

• Click here to download the form (in PDF format), fill it out, the form  and  e-mal or mail, see below for the addresses. 

If you choose to apply by e-mail or mail, download the form (in PDF format), fill it out, and  e-mal or mail it to the address below. You must include any necessary income documentation as well.