NEW CASTLE —
Residents who plan to build homes in Union Township could be eligible for a tax break.
The Union Area School Board has adopted a resolution authorizing exemption of school property taxes for new home construction assessed at $100,000 or greater.
The exemption also applies to additions or improvements that exceed $50,000.
The tax break, under the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, is retroactive to Jan. 1 this year and expires Dec. 31, 2014.
In either instance, the homeowner must have a valid builder’s permit.
“The board viewed this as an important program for our community,” Dr. Alfonso Angelucci, superintendent said. “It is a way to attract new families to our school district by lessening their tax burden the first few years.”
For new construction, a qualifying homeowner must meet certain requirements, such as obtaining a valid building permit and completing the application process, which then must be approved by the board, business manager Samantha Laverty explained.
The home’s value is based upon assessment, not appraisal, she said.
If homeowners meet the criteria, they will be exempt from paying 80 percent of their taxes the first year, 40 percent for the second year and 20 percent for the third year.
The district originally passed the tax abatement resolution in August, 2002, then extended it until through the past several years and it expired on Dec. 31, 2011.
About 30 homeowners took advantage of the tax breaks, and most of those were for new homes, Laverty said.
Applications for the renewed program are available in the school business office at 2106 Camden Ave.
“We’re hoping to attract new residents to the district,” Angelucci said, adding, “We have a great educational system here.”
(Email: lhudson@ncnewsonline.com.)
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