Council: More time needed to study impact of senior tax cut in Howard

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A group that reviewed the impact of a tax credit for senior citizens in Howard may get more time to examine the effect of the tax break.

To do so, two council members want to extend the group’s work for another year, based on a recommendation from the senior tax cut task force.

“That they continue and come back in a year made perfect sense to me,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4, who co-sponsored the proposal introduced by Council Chairman Calvin Ball, D-District 2.

“It’s impossible to tell only after one year’s data.”

The task force told the council it needed more time because data on whether all of those who qualify applied for the credit were insufficient, according to a report it submitted earlier this month.

“As this is the first year for the senior property credit, it is not possible to perceive any trend lines,” the report states.

The task force would study the credit and submit additional recommendations to the council by Nov. 14, 2008, according to the resolution, which will be introduced at Monday’s session.

The group also said the council should let the credit stand without any changes, a recommendation with which council members agreed.

“There needs to be changes made, but I think we need to get the individual data before we can make those changes,” said Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5.

For example, Fox had pushed for removing an asset test from the eligibility requirements, and initial data show it may make sense to get rid of it, he said.

Sigaty said she would like to expand tax relief to anyone on a fixed income, such as those with disabilities or divorced spouses who aren’t working.

“It’s not just a senior issue,” she said.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com

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