It is not too late to apply for the “Sales or Property Tax Refund Program for Senior Citizens and Citizens with Disabilities.” Applications are due July 1. This little-known program of the SD Department of Revenue intends to help offset taxes paid by some very-low-income South Dakotans, whether they own property or not.
Application forms and info are available from county treasurers’ offices. Or call 800-829-9188, extension 1.
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Sadly, these refund checks are missed by most of those who are eligible. Mostly, people don’t know about it. Also, the income cut-off is extremely low (annual $16,038 if living alone, or $21,692 combined for shared living). As a state program, its timing is out of sync with the federal income tax season, and the May-June application period is short.
If you know potentially eligible relatives or neighbors, please do them a favor and help them to send in an application by the end of June.
Cathy Brechtelsbauer
Sioux Falls