Property tax relief for seniors, people with disabilities and disabled veterans
Provided by: Wake County Department of Tax Administration (Wake County)
North Carolina law offers three property tax relief programs, run in Wake County by Tax Administration, for income-qualified homeowners who are 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled, and for disabled veterans.
This card points you to the right place. Ask them for the full steps.
Ways to do it
What you need
- The first two pages of last year’s federal tax return, or other proof of income (W-2, SSA-1099, 1099-R, and so on)
- A disability certification, if applying based on disability
- For veterans, an honorable discharge certificate and disability certification
- A valid email address to apply online
Good to know
- Who can use it: Elderly or Disabled Exclusion: 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, as of January 1, with 2025 income of $38,800 or less. Circuit Breaker Deferment: same age or disability rule, income of $58,200 or less, and owned and lived in the home for the previous five years. Disabled Veteran Exclusion: no age or income limit.
- The application deadline is June 1. For 2026, Wake County accepts late applications for good cause (such as illness, a death in the family or military deployment) through December 31, 2026. Forgetting doesn’t count.
- You can only choose one program, even if you qualify for more than one.
- The Circuit Breaker program needs a new application every year, and deferred taxes may have to be repaid later (for example, if you sell the home).
- Income limits change every year. These were the limits for 2025 income.
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Draft: compiled from official pages but not yet checked by a volunteer. Last checked 2026-11-04.
Sources: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/tax-administration/tax-bill-help/need-help-paying-your-property-tax-bill, https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/tax-administration/tax-bill-help/2026-property-tax-bills
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