Tennessee Property Tax Relief: Get Up to $1,500 Off Your Property Taxes if You Are Elderly, Disabled, or a Veteran

If you’re a Tennessee homeowner who is 65 or older, totally disabled, or a disabled veteran, you can get property tax relief that reduces what you owe on your primary residence. Depending on your situation, you might qualify for up to $500 in tax relief as an elderly or disabled homeowner, or up to $1,500 if you’re a disabled veteran. This isn’t a one-time benefit—once approved, the relief continues year after year as long as you remain eligible.

Tennessee offers several property tax relief programs administered through county trustees’ offices. The most common is the Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled program, which provides a partial reimbursement of property taxes for qualifying homeowners. There’s also an enhanced Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans program that offers larger benefits and has different eligibility criteria.

These programs don’t eliminate your property tax bill entirely, but they can significantly reduce it. The state reimburses a portion of your county property taxes (not city or special district taxes), which can save you hundreds or even over a thousand dollars per year. For seniors and disabled individuals on fixed incomes, this relief can make the difference between affording to stay in their homes and facing financial hardship.

The application process happens through your county trustee’s office, not the state. Each county administers the program locally, though the eligibility rules and benefit amounts are set by state law. You need to apply annually, though many counties make renewal easier for continuing recipients.

Key Details at a Glance

What Property Tax Relief Actually Provides

Tennessee’s property tax relief programs reimburse a portion of your county property taxes. Here’s how each program works:

Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Homeowners provides reimbursement of county property taxes up to $500 per year. The actual amount you receive depends on your county’s tax rate and your home’s assessed value. If your county property taxes are less than $500, you get reimbursed for the actual amount. If they’re more than $500, you get the maximum $500.

This relief only applies to county property taxes, not city taxes or special district taxes (like school taxes). So if your total property tax bill is $2,000, and $800 of that is county taxes, you’d get reimbursed up to $500 of the $800 county portion. You’d still owe the remaining $300 in county taxes plus all the city and special district taxes.

Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans provides reimbursement up to $1,500 per year and has no income limit. This program is available to:

• Veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability
• Veterans who are individually unemployable due to service-connected disabilities
• Surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected disabilities
• Surviving spouses of soldiers killed in action

Like the elderly/disabled program, this reimburses county property taxes only, not city or special district taxes.

Additional Property Tax Freeze for Disabled Veterans - Some disabled veterans may also qualify for a property tax freeze, which prevents your assessed value from increasing. This is a separate benefit that works alongside the tax relief reimbursement.

The reimbursement comes from the state, not your county. You still pay your full property tax bill to the county, then the state reimburses you for the relief amount. Some counties handle this by reducing your bill upfront if you’re already approved; others require you to pay the full amount and then receive a reimbursement check.

Who Qualifies for Property Tax Relief

The eligibility requirements differ between the elderly/disabled program and the disabled veteran program:

Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Homeowners:

You must meet ALL of these requirements:

• Be 65 years of age or older, OR be totally and permanently disabled (any age)
• Own the property and use it as your primary residence
• Have total household income of $36,400 or less (for 2024—this amount is adjusted annually)
• Apply through your county trustee by the deadline

What counts as “totally and permanently disabled”?

• Receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for disability
• Certified as totally and permanently disabled by a licensed physician
• Receiving disability benefits from a government agency or insurance company that certify total and permanent disability

What counts as “household income”? Total income includes wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement account distributions, rental income, interest, dividends, and most other income sources for everyone living in the household. Some exclusions apply—check with your county trustee for specifics.

Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans:

You must meet these requirements:

• Be a veteran with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating from the VA, OR
• Be a veteran who is individually unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, OR
• Be the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from service-connected disabilities, OR
• Be the surviving spouse of a soldier killed in action
• Own the property and use it as your primary residence
• Apply through your county trustee by the deadline

No income limit for the disabled veteran program. Even high-income disabled veterans qualify.

You’re a strong candidate if you:

• Are a Tennessee homeowner age 65+ on a fixed income
• Receive Social Security Disability or SSI
• Are a disabled veteran with a VA disability rating
• Are the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran or soldier killed in action
• Own your home and live in it as your primary residence
• Have household income under $36,400 (for elderly/disabled program)

You’re not eligible if:

• You rent rather than own your home
• The property is not your primary residence (vacation homes, rental properties don’t qualify)
• Your household income exceeds the limit (for elderly/disabled program)
• You’re under 65 and not totally disabled (for elderly/disabled program)
• You don’t meet the veteran disability requirements (for veteran program)

Application Process and Timeline

The application process is handled by your county trustee’s office. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Gather Required Documentation

For Elderly/Disabled Program:

• Proof of age (driver’s license, birth certificate, or other government ID)
• Proof of disability if under 65 (Social Security award letter, physician certification, or disability benefits documentation)
• Proof of income for all household members (Social Security statements, pension statements, W-2s, tax returns, bank statements for interest/dividends)
• Property deed or tax bill showing you own the property
• Proof of residency (utility bills, voter registration, driver’s license with property address)

For Disabled Veteran Program:

• VA disability rating letter showing 100% permanent and total disability or individual unemployability
• OR death certificate and VA documentation for surviving spouses
• Property deed or tax bill
• Proof of residency
• Marriage certificate (for surviving spouses)

Step 2: Contact Your County Trustee

Find your county trustee’s office contact information on your county’s website or by calling the county courthouse. Ask about:

• The exact application deadline for your county
• Whether they have the application form online or if you need to pick it up
• What documentation they require (requirements can vary slightly by county)
• Whether you can apply by mail or must apply in person

Step 3: Complete and Submit Application

Fill out the application form completely and accurately. Attach all required documentation. Submit before your county’s deadline—this is typically 35 days after the April tax delinquency date, which means late April or early May in most counties, but check with your specific county.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

The county trustee reviews your application and verifies your eligibility. This typically takes 2-6 weeks. If approved, you’ll receive notification of the relief amount you’ll receive.

Step 5: Receive Your Relief

How you receive the relief varies by county:

• Some counties reduce your tax bill upfront if you’re already approved before bills are sent out
• Some require you to pay the full bill, then send you a reimbursement check
• Some credit your account for the following year

Ask your county trustee how they handle the reimbursement.

Step 6: Renew Annually

You must reapply every year to continue receiving relief. Many counties send renewal forms to previous recipients, making the process easier. Some counties have simplified renewal processes if your situation hasn’t changed. Don’t assume you’re automatically renewed—submit the renewal application each year.

County-Specific Variations and Deadlines

While the state sets the basic rules, each county administers the program with some variations:

Application Deadlines: Most counties use the “35 days after April tax delinquency date” rule, but the exact date varies:

• Some counties have deadlines in late April
• Some have deadlines in mid-May
• A few counties have different deadlines

Always check with your specific county trustee for the exact deadline. Missing the deadline means you don’t get relief for that year.

Application Methods:

• Some counties accept applications by mail
• Some require in-person applications
• Some have online applications or downloadable forms
• Some only provide forms in person at the trustee’s office

Documentation Requirements: While the basic requirements are consistent, counties may ask for additional documentation or have specific formats they prefer.

Reimbursement Timing: When you receive your relief varies by county. Some process reimbursements quickly; others take several months.

Renewal Processes: Some counties send automatic renewal forms; others require you to request a new application each year.

The best approach is to contact your county trustee’s office directly to understand their specific procedures.

Insider Tips for Getting Approved

Apply early, not at the deadline. County trustees process applications in the order received. Applying early means faster processing and fewer chances of missing the deadline due to unexpected issues.

Keep copies of everything. Make copies of your completed application and all supporting documents before submitting. If there’s any question about what you submitted, you’ll have proof.

If you’re close to the income limit, be strategic about timing. The income limit is based on the previous year’s income. If you’re right at the limit, consider whether any income sources might change. For example, if you’re 64 and will turn 65 mid-year, your income for the application year might be higher (if you worked part of the year) than your income will be once you’re fully retired.

Understand what counts as household income. Some people mistakenly think only their income counts, but it’s total household income for everyone living in the home. If your adult child lives with you and earns $30,000, that counts toward the household income limit even if they don’t own the property.

For disability claims, get proper documentation. If you’re claiming disability but don’t receive SSDI or SSI, you’ll need a physician to certify that you’re totally and permanently disabled. This isn’t just a note saying you have health problems—it needs to specifically state that you’re totally and permanently disabled. Talk to your doctor about the specific language needed.

Veterans: make sure your VA rating is current. If your VA disability rating has changed, make sure you have the most recent rating letter. The relief is only available for 100% permanent and total ratings or individual unemployability determinations.

Set a reminder to renew. Put a reminder in your calendar for March or early April each year to renew your application. Don’t wait for the county to remind you—some do, some don’t.

If denied, ask why and consider appealing. If your application is denied, ask the county trustee why. Sometimes it’s a simple documentation issue that can be fixed. You may have appeal rights if you believe you were wrongly denied.

Common Mistakes That Cause Denials

Missing the deadline. This is the most common reason applications are rejected. There’s typically no exception for late applications, even if you have a good excuse. Mark your calendar and apply early.

Incomplete income documentation. You need to document ALL household income, not just yours. Missing a pension statement, Social Security statement, or other income source will delay or deny your application.

Applying for the wrong program. Some people apply for the elderly/disabled program when they should apply for the disabled veteran program, or vice versa. Make sure you’re applying for the program you actually qualify for.

Not updating address with the county. If you moved within the county or changed your mailing address, make sure the county has your current address. Otherwise, you might not receive renewal forms or approval notifications.

Assuming you’re automatically renewed. You must reapply every year. Even if you received relief last year, you won’t get it this year unless you submit a new application.

Not reporting household income changes. If someone moves into or out of your household, or household income changes significantly, report this. Failing to report changes can result in denial or even having to repay relief you weren’t entitled to.

Providing outdated disability documentation. If your disability status has changed, or if your physician certification is old, get updated documentation. Counties want current proof of disability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get property tax relief if I have a mortgage? Yes. You still own the property even if you have a mortgage. The relief goes to you, not your mortgage company.

What if I own the property jointly with my spouse? That’s fine. As long as one of you meets the age or disability requirements and the household income is under the limit, you can qualify.

Does this relief affect my other benefits? No. Property tax relief doesn’t count as income for purposes of Social Security, Medicaid, SNAP, or other benefit programs.

What if my income is slightly over the limit? Unfortunately, the income limit is a hard cutoff. If your household income is $36,401, you don’t qualify, even though you’re only $1 over. However, the limit is adjusted annually, so you might qualify in future years.

Can I get both elderly relief and disabled veteran relief? No. You can only receive one property tax relief benefit, even if you qualify for both. Choose the one that provides the larger benefit (usually the disabled veteran program at up to $1,500).

What if I move to a different county in Tennessee? You’ll need to apply with your new county trustee. The relief doesn’t automatically transfer.

What happens if I sell my home? The relief ends when you no longer own and occupy the property as your primary residence. If you buy another home in Tennessee, you can apply for relief on the new property.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen? The law doesn’t explicitly require citizenship, but you must meet all other requirements including owning the property and meeting age/disability/veteran status requirements.

What if my spouse died and the property was in their name? If you inherited the property and now own it, you can apply based on your own age, disability, or veteran status. Bring documentation showing you now own the property.

Can I get relief on a mobile home? Yes, if you own the mobile home and the land it sits on, and it’s your primary residence. If you only own the mobile home but rent the land, check with your county trustee about eligibility.

How to Apply Right Now

Step 1: Find your county trustee’s contact information. Search online for “[Your County] Tennessee trustee” or call your county courthouse and ask for the trustee’s office.

Step 2: Call or visit the trustee’s office and ask:

• What’s the application deadline for this year?
• Can I download the application form, or do I need to pick it up?
• What documentation do I need to bring?
• Can I apply by mail, or must I come in person?

Step 3: Gather your documentation:

• Proof of age or disability
• Income documentation for all household members
• Property ownership proof
• Residency proof
• VA disability rating (if applying as disabled veteran)

Step 4: Complete the application form carefully. Double-check that you’ve filled out every required field and attached all required documents.

Step 5: Submit your application well before the deadline. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Step 6: Follow up if you don’t hear back within 4-6 weeks. Call the trustee’s office to check on your application status.

For more information about Tennessee property tax relief programs, visit the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury website or contact your county trustee directly.

Property tax relief can save you hundreds or even over a thousand dollars per year. If you’re eligible, don’t leave this money on the table. The application process is straightforward, and once you’re approved, renewal is usually easier. Take the time to apply—it’s worth it.