Real Estate Tax Relief

Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Grant

The City of Charlottesville in its ongoing efforts to promote and preserve home ownership will once again offer Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled

Our office will accept applications and recertification from February 2, 2026, through April 1, 2026.

Qualifications for Real Estate Tax Relief:

• Applicant must be 65 years of age or older or permanently and totally disabled (proof of disability required) as of December 31^st of the prior year.
• Property for which the exemption is claimed must be located in the City of Charlottesville and occupied as the sole dwelling of the applicant.
• Combined Federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for the prior year for applicant, applicant’s spouse, and any co-owners and relatives residing in the home cannot exceed $65,000.
• Application must be signed by applicant or applicant's power-of-attorney.

Required Documentation for Homeowners in Groups 3 and 4:

• Proof of Income:   Copy of filed IRS Form 1040 or all taxable income statements for Tax Year 2025 for applicant, applicant's spouse, and any other co-owners and relatives living in the home.
• Proof of Disability (if applicant is under 65 years of age):  Copy of a letter from Social Security Administration (SSA) or a letter from two licensed physicians in Virginia confirming the disability and the date.

Online Application Form:

• 2026 Real Estate Tax Relief Application / Recertification (Online Form).
  

Fillable Application Form:

• For Group 1 or 2          2026 Real Estate Tax Relief Recertification (PDF)
• For Group 3 or 4          2026 Real Estate Tax Relief Application (PDF) 

Real estate Tax Exemption for the Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse

If you are a disabled veteran or surviving spouse you may qualify for an exemption from Real Estate Tax if you reside in the City of Charlottesville and the related criteria below is met:

Qualifications Required for the Real Estate Tax Exemption

For the veteran:

1. The veteran must have been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency to have a 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability;
2. Real estate must be owned (solely or jointly) by veteran;
3. Real estate must be occupied by the veteran as his/her primary place of residence.

For the surviving spouse of a veteran who had a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability:

1. The death of the veteran must have occurred on or after January 1, 2011;
2. In order to qualify for exemption surviving spouse must not remarry;
3. There is no restriction on surviving spouse moving to a different principal place of residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

For the surviving spouse of a service member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty:

1. The deceased service member must have been “died in the line of duty" , as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense after January 1, 2015.
2. If the surviving spouse acquires the property after January 1, 2015, then the exemption shall begin on the date of acquisition.
3. To qualify for exemption surviving spouse must not remarry.
4. If a dwelling's value exceeds the average assessed value, only the amount above the average will be taxed. The portion that is equal to or below the average will be exempt from property taxes.
5. There is no restriction on surviving spouse moving to a different principal place of residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Fillable Application Form:

• Application for Real Estate Tax Exemption for Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse (PDF)

Charlottesville Homeowner Assistance Program (CHAP)

This program provides real estate tax relief for qualified City of Charlottesville homeowners.

This program is available to individuals who are not receiving real estate tax relief for the elderly or disabled persons, or real estate tax exemption for qualified veterans for Tax Year 2025.

Applications are no longer being accepted.

To promote and preserve homeownership, Charlottesville City Council is once again offering Charlottesville Homeowner Assistance Program grants to assist qualified low to moderate income homeowners. This grant program is intended to assist qualified applicants with the ongoing costs of homeownership.

To determine your eligibility for a potential grant of $1000, $1500, $2000, or $2500, this program considers the combined income of all occupants residing in the home (applicant, applicant's spouse, any other co-owners, and any other adult relatives). 

Requirements to determine your eligibility:

• Applicant must be a legal owner AND reside in the residential property as of January 1 of the current year.
• Applicant, applicant’s spouse, any co-owner residing in the home cannot own any other real estate.
• The current year’s assessed value on applicant’s home cannot be greater than $525,000.
• Combined Adjusted Gross Income for all occupants residing in the home (you, your spouse, any other co-owners, and any adult relatives) for Tax Year 2024 cannot exceed $62,100.

Documentation needed to determine your eligibility: 

To support your application, you must provide documentation for all occupants residing in the home (applicant, applicant’s spouse, any co-owners, or adult relatives):

• Copy of all filed tax returns (IRS Form 1040, IRS Form 1040-SR, or IRS Form 1040-NR for TY-2024)
• Copy of all taxable income statements (W-2, 1099, etc. for TY-2023), if tax returns have not been filed

Online Application Form:

• Be prepared to upload all electronic copies (pdf or photo) of documentation listed above. This online application will allow you to save your progress to return later.
• To apply online, click here           and follow the instructions.

Fillable Application Form:

• Be prepared to provide copies of all documentation listed above.
• To apply using a fillable application, click here    to download the PDF application, 
• Complete fillable application, print it, and use one of the methods below to apply.