Tennessee Program Overview

To qualify as a disabled veteran:

• You must own your home and use it as your primary residence
• You must complete a 2025 F-16S. This form is a consent form for the release of disability and income information from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• You must also meet one of the following disability requirements:
  • Acquired in connection with such service a disability from paraplegia or permanent paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body resulting from traumatic injury or disease to the spinal cord or brain, or from legal blindness, or
    from loss or loss of use of two (2) or more limbs from any service-connected cause.
  • Acquired one hundred percent (100%) permanent total disability, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration, and such disability resulted from having served as a prisoner of war.
  • Acquired service-connected permanent and total disability or disabilities, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Note: Tax relief is only given on the first $175,000 of your home’s value.

To qualify as a widow(er) of a disabled veteran:

• You must own your home and use it as your primary residence.
• You must have been married to the veteran at the time of their death and not have remarried.
• You must complete a 2025 F-16S. This form is a consent form for the release of disability and income information from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• The veteran must have met one of the disability requirements listed in the DISABLED VETERAN box, or:
  • Property tax relief shall also be extended to the surviving spouse of a veteran whose death results from a service-connected, combat-related cause, as determined by the United States Veterans Administration.
  • Property tax relief shall also be extended to the surviving spouse of a soldier whose death results from being deployed, away from any home base of training, and in support of combat or peace operations.
• Note: Tax relief is only given on the first $175,000 of your home’s value.

Filing season typically runs from October through April of the following year. You can apply after receiving your property tax bill in the fall. The deadline is 35 days after the delinquency date, which is usually the end of February — meaning the last day to apply is typically in early April. Deadlines may vary slightly by county, so check with your county trustee to confirm.

Documentation for Disabled Veteran or Widow(er) of a Disabled Veteran:

• Determination of eligibility for a homeowner who is a disabled veteran or widow(er) of a disabled veteran will be made based on information provided by the VA through use of consent forms.
• If you are applying as a disabled veteran, you will need to complete an F-16S.
• Widow(er) of a disabled veteran must complete an F-16S. These forms are available at the county trustee’s office or the city collecting official’s office.
• Widow(er) must provide a copy of your spouse’s death certificate and provide a form of personal ID.

To qualify as a disabled homeowner:

• You must have been rated totally and permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration or other qualified agency on or before December 31, 2025.
• You must own your home and use it as your primary residence.
• Your combined 2024 annual income for you, your spouse, and all other owners of the property cannot exceed $37,530.
• Note: Tax relief is only given on the first $31,800 of your home’s value.

Filing season typically runs from October through April of the following year. You can apply after receiving your property tax bill in the fall. The deadline is 35 days after the delinquency date, which is usually the end of February — meaning the last day to apply is typically in early April. Deadlines may vary slightly by county, so check with your county trustee to confirm.

Income Documentation for Elderly or Disabled:

• If you are an elderly or disabled homeowner, you may be required to provide income documentation such as a copy of your tax return, 1099, W-2, etc.
• If you are a sole owner within $100 of the income limit, or a co-owner within $200 of the income limit, income documentation must be provided for all sources.

To qualify as an elderly homeowner:

• You must turn 65 on or before December 31, 2025.
• You must own your home and use it as your primary residence.
• Your combined 2024 annual income for you, your spouse, and all other owners of the property cannot exceed $37,530.
• Note: Tax relief is only given on the first $31,800 of your home’s value.

Filing season typically runs from October through April of the following year. You can apply after receiving your property tax bill in the fall. The deadline is 35 days after the delinquency date, which is usually the end of February — meaning the last day to apply is typically in early April. Deadlines may vary slightly by county, so check with your county trustee to confirm.

Income Documentation for Elderly or Disabled:

• If you are an elderly or disabled homeowner, you may be required to provide income documentation such as a copy of your tax return, 1099, W-2, etc.
• If you are a sole owner within $100 of the income limit, or a co-owner within $200 of the income limit, income documentation must be provided for all sources.

In order to qualify, the homeowner must file an application annually and must:

• Own their principal place of residence in a participating county and/or city.
• Be 65 years of age or older by the end of the year in which the application is filed.
• Have an income from all sources that does not exceed the county income limit established for that tax year.

Filing season typically runs from fall through April of the following year. You can apply after receiving your property tax bill in the fall. The deadline is 35 days after the delinquency date, which means the last day to apply is typically in early April. Deadlines may vary slightly by county, so check with your county trustee to confirm.

The income of all owners of the property is to be included.

• The applicant must provide income tax returns for the appropriate year or else file a signed statement that they were not required to file a return.

Annual income of all owners from all sources is considered and includes, but is not limited to:

• Social Security payments after the Medicare deduction
• Social Security disability
• Supplemental Security Income
• Retirement and pension benefits after deductions of healthcare insurance premiums
• Veterans benefits
• Workers compensation
• Unemployment compensation
• Salaries and wages
• Alimony
• Total interest and total dividends