This week’s question was:
As a pensioner, what should I do to ensure that I am paying the correct tariffs (rates) if my home has been valued at under R2,5 million?
Ward 117 councillor, Tim Truluck, answered:
At the 20 March council meeting, the new pensioner rebates for 2018/19 were announced. They have been tabled for comments and objections and you have 30 days to do this. Please send them to ratescomments@joburg.org.za
It is proposed that the threshold of property values for qualifying pensioners be increased from R2 million to R2,5 million (a 25 per cent increase).
If your new property value is R2,5 million or less and you are:
60–69 years old and:
- If your gross household monthly income is less than R9 245/month, then you qualify for a 100 per cent property rates rebate.
- If your gross household monthly income is R9 245 to R15 845/month, then you will qualify for a 50 per cent property rates rebate.
70 years and older and:
- n All homeowners over the age of 70 get a 100 per cent rates rebate if your property is valued at R2,5 million or less.
Note that they have not been officially adopted by council yet, so you can’t apply at the moment. New forms will most likely be available in June.
All residents who currently have a pensioner rebate will have to re-apply in June/July. They will only need to do this once during the new valuation period of four or five 5 years.
Do you have a question for a ward councillor?
As a local newspaper, the Northcliff Melville Times provides a platform for residents to learn about, understand and follow local government.
As an extension of that, there is a weekly column called Councillor’s Corner which is a platform for you, our readers, to voice your concerns or submit questions to ward councillors for them to respond to.
Different and willing ward councillors will respond to a question each week. Email your burning question to aimeed@caxton.co.za and let’s get the ball rolling.