This recently announced rebate is available to those 65+ and who own their own home. It will reduce the school tax portion of your taxes another $235. You can apply for it once you receive your property taxes in the mail (I think all of us have received them by now).
You can get the form on line: Manitoba.ca/seniorsrebate. You can even apply on line. Or you can print out the application and mail it. If you do not have access to a computer, you can pick up the form at your municipal office (I checked with Town and RM of Ste Anne, Tache, and LaBroquerie); or drop by my office, I’ll have some too (I’ll leave them in my mail slot if I’m not in).
To be eligible, you or your spouse or common-law partner must be 65+ as of December 31 2014. You must own the property and you occupy it as your principal residence as of the municipal tax due date. And your property taxes cannot be in arrears.
The deadline for the application is March 31 2015 for the 2014 Property Tax Year.
The new Rebate is a part of the Manitoba government’s plan to eliminate school taxes for seniors by 2016.
Just a few additional notes about this rebate.
Some of you don’t pay much school taxes after you get the $700 Education Property Tax Credit, so your rebate may be less than $235 or you may get nothing if the Education Credit already reduced your school taxes to zero.
I hate to bring some bad news: those of you that live in Paradise Village, or if you live on land that you do not own, you do not qualify. After speaking to the RM of Ste Anne office, I confirmed the information by calling the Manitoba Education Property Tax Credit Office. If the property tax bill does not list you as an owner, then you do not qualify.
These savings are on top of up to $1,100 in Education Property Tax Credits already in place. I should clarify the extra $400 on top of the $700 education credit that most homeowners get is calculated on your income taxes; you get additional Province of Manitoba credits depending on your income and how much you paid in school taxes. You only get the additional $400 if you have no income. I haven’t seen anyone in that situation.
Just a quick announcement: I will be planning some monthly seminars called Death Café. You can check it out by googling: death café. It’s an informal event to discuss whatever is on your mind. I’m hoping to start the first one in July, so check my website annimarkmann.ca or call my office, I’ll include the info on my voice mail if I’m not able to answer the phone.
Anni Markmann is a tax professional working, living, and volunteering in our community. Contact Anni at 204-422-6631 or anni@SteAnneTaxService.ca or 36 Dawson Road in Ste Anne.