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Taxes
Property tax relief for seniors in Vermont
Vermont has 2 programs that can lower property taxes for older adults: Vermont Property Tax Credit and Renter Credit. Each one has its own rules and deadline.
Vermont Property Tax Credit
Vermont's Property Tax Credit lowers the property tax on the home you own and live in when your household income is $115,400 or less (2026 claims). It is not just for older people, but many retirees use it. You claim it each spring on Form HS-122 with Schedule HI-144, which also serves as your homestead declaration.
How to apply
- In person
- File Form HS-122 (Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claim) and Schedule HI-144 (Household Income), on its own or with your Vermont income tax return.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify
| Age | Any age |
|---|---|
| Household income limit, 2026 claims | $115,400 or less |
| Home | You may qualify if you owned and lived in the home as your homestead on April 1, lived in Vermont all of the year before, and filed a Homestead Declaration for the current year |
| Dependents | No one else claims you as a dependent |
What you may get
| Most the credit can be, 2026 | $8,000 |
|---|---|
| Most for the state education property tax part | $5,600 |
| Most for the town (municipal) property tax part | $2,400 |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Application deadline, 2026 claims | April 15, 2026, the same day as the income tax return. Claims filed after October 15, 2026 generally can't be accepted. |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Every year. You file a new Homestead Declaration and credit claim for each year's grand list. |
How Vermont is different
Where Vermont's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- Based on household income, not age, so younger homeowners can get it too
- The credit is applied to your town tax bill; credits filed late are sent to you instead of to the town
Good to know
- Renters: renters can't use this credit, but Vermont has a separate Renter Credit for renters of any age.
- The Department of Taxes has a calculator on its site to estimate your credit.
Renter Credit
Vermont's Renter Credit gives money back to renters with lower incomes, of any age. The limit depends on your county and household size, and the credit is based on 10% of the fair market rent for your area. You must file a claim every year, and no late claims are accepted.
How to apply
- In person
- You can also file with your Vermont income tax return using tax software. You don't need anything from your landlord.
- By mail
- Form RCC-146, Renter Credit Claim, to Vermont Department of Taxes, 133 State St., Montpelier, VT 05633
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify
| Age | Any age |
|---|---|
| Income limit for a partial credit, one person, 2025 income (claims filed in 2026) | Set by county and household size: from $47,190 in counties such as Rutland to $59,090 in Chittenden County |
| How the limits are set | 65% of county median income by family size (HUD). Below HUD's extremely low-income limit (30% of median), you get the full credit. |
| Residence | You may qualify if Vermont was your main home all of last year and you paid rent in Vermont for at least six months |
What you may get
| Full credit amount | 10% of HUD's fair market rent for your family size in your county. For two people in Addison County, the 2025 figure is $1,692. |
|---|---|
| Shared housing | Each housemate gets 50% of the credit they are eligible for |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Deadline, 2026 claims | Due April 15, 2026; last day accepted October 15, 2026. Late claims are not accepted. |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Every year |
How Vermont is different
Where Vermont's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- Based on the area's fair market rent, not the rent you pay, unless your rent is subsidized
- Your landlord files a certificate each year, so you don't need a form from them
Good to know
- Renters: this is Vermont's property tax help for renters. The credit is reduced if you rented for less than a full year (at least six months).
Free help
Free help with this in Vermont
Adult Services Division
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Vermont
Property tax relief in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Tax Credit (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department of Taxes, Form HS-122 Instructions: 2026 Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit (revised October 2025) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department of Taxes, Renter Credit (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Vermont Department of Taxes, Renter Credit Income Eligibility Limits (Table 3: 2025 Partial Credit Income Limits by County) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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