North Carolina may be known for its scenic mountains and coastal towns, but for many older homeowners, rising property taxes are the real landscape to worry about. As home values surge, fixed-income retirees face bills that grow faster than their Social Security checks. What few realize is that several North Carolina counties quietly offer programs to cap or reduce property taxes for low-income seniors and disabled residents. These little-known local credits can mean the difference between staying in your home and being taxed out of it. Here are six county programs across the state that offer real relief if you qualify.
1. Wake County – Homestead Exclusion for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners
Wake County provides one of the most accessible property tax relief options in the state. Homeowners aged 65 or older—or those with a permanent disability—can qualify if their 2025 household income is below $36,700.
The program excludes up to $25,000 or 50% of your home’s appraised value (whichever is greater) from taxation. Applications are filed through the county tax office, and once approved, they renew automatically each year. For retirees in Raleigh and surrounding areas, this exclusion can easily save hundreds annually.
2. Mecklenburg County – Homestead Circuit Breaker Program
In Charlotte and surrounding towns, Mecklenburg County offers a “circuit breaker” plan that limits property taxes to a percentage of your income. Seniors or disabled residents with income under $55,000 can qualify.
Instead of paying full property taxes, participants pay a capped percentage—between 4% and 5% of income—and any excess taxes are deferred. Those deferred taxes are forgiven after the homeowner’s death or sale of the property under certain conditions. This quiet program keeps long-time homeowners from being priced out of their neighborhoods as values soar.
3. Guilford County – Elderly and Disabled Exclusion
In Greensboro and High Point, Guilford County’s exclusion program mirrors the state’s framework, but with generous outreach and simple filing. Homeowners 65+ or disabled with income below the state threshold can apply to have 50% of their home value exempt from taxation.
The county frequently hosts property tax relief workshops each spring to help residents apply before the June deadline. The average participant saves $700–$1,000 annually—a meaningful cushion for those living on fixed incomes.
4. Buncombe County – Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Veterans
In the Asheville region, Buncombe County offers two overlapping programs—one for low-income seniors and another for qualifying veterans. Seniors with incomes below $36,700 can apply for the homestead exclusion, while disabled veterans may qualify for an additional $45,000 exemption on their primary residence.
Many homeowners combine these programs for significant tax savings. The county tax office also provides in-person help for older residents who find the paperwork confusing.
5. Durham County – Longtime Homeowner Grant Program
Durham’s Longtime Homeowner Grant program targets residents hit hardest by gentrification and rising property values. Homeowners aged 65 or older—or who’ve owned their home for at least 10 years—can receive a direct grant that offsets city and county property tax increases.
The program focuses on low- to moderate-income residents, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods. Recipients don’t have to repay the grant, and it’s re-evaluated annually. It’s a model program quietly protecting retirees from being displaced by rapid development.
6. Orange County – Property Tax Relief for Seniors and the Disabled
In Chapel Hill and Carrboro, Orange County operates several property tax aid programs, including a local match to the state’s homestead exclusion. Qualifying homeowners can also access a deferral option, paying taxes only up to a set percentage of income.
The county supplements these programs with energy-efficiency grants and weatherization assistance. Together, these efforts reduce not only tax burdens but also overall housing costs. For retirees in high-value college towns, these programs make aging in place financially possible.
Why These Programs Matter More Than Ever
North Carolina’s population of seniors is projected to double by 2035, and many live on fixed incomes that don’t rise with property values. County-level tax caps and deferrals aren’t just technical policies—they’re lifelines. By applying early and verifying eligibility annually, older homeowners can save thousands and preserve generational homes. The biggest challenge isn’t qualifying—it’s awareness. Too many eligible seniors never apply simply because they don’t know these programs exist.
Have you or someone you know benefited from a North Carolina property tax relief program? Share your experience or tips below!
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Teri Monroe started her career in communications working for local government and nonprofits. Today, she is a freelance finance and lifestyle writer and small business owner. In her spare time, she loves golfing with her husband, taking her dog Milo on long walks, and playing pickleball with friends.
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