Action Gives Some Seniors a Tax Break
An ordinance amended by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors last week will allow more senior citizens who bought houses locally to retain the lower property taxes they may have held in other counties.
Under Proposition 90, approved by voters in 1988, county officials could opt to allow residents older than 55 to bring the lower property tax base with them when buying a new home in a different county.
In November 1992, supervisors voted to give seniors the tax break, but the action meant elders who bought homes between 1988 and 1992 were not eligible.
Last week, the supervisors voted to alter the ordinance so it now includes seniors who fell between the gap.
The break, however, will not apply retroactively, Deputy Assessor James Dodd said. The lower tax base will only apply to current and future tax years.
Under the amended ordinance, seniors who purchased their homes between 1988 and 1992 have until November 2003 to apply for the tax-relief benefit.
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