AARP Foundation

Find Property Tax Relief in Your State

Take the first step toward checking your eligibility to apply for property tax relief programs in your state.

Select your state to learn more about available programs and how to apply. The resources on this page are updated as new information becomes available.

Vermont Program Overview

Looking for property tax relief in Vermont? There are three main ways to apply for property tax relief:

  • Property Tax Credit
  • Homestead Declaration
  • Renter Credit Claim

Property Tax-Aide features the Property Tax Credit, Homestead Declaration, and Renter Claim Credit programs in Vermont. Currently, there are no statewide programs specifically for older adults.

The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.

Property Tax Credit

The Vermont Property Tax Credit assists homeowners with paying their property taxes. The maximum credit is $8,000, with a maximum of $5,600 for the education property tax portion and $2,400 for the municipal property tax portion. The credit will appear as a state payment on your 2025/2026 property tax bill.

Eligibility

You may be eligible if all four of the following requirements are met:

  1. Filed a valid Homestead Declaration.
  2. Domiciled in Vermont for the entire calendar year 2025.
  3. Not claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer for tax year 2025.
  4. Had a household income in 2025 of up to $115,400.
Application Deadline

The Property Tax Credit Claim for 2026 is due on April 15. Generally, claims cannot be accepted after October 15, 2026.

Required Documentation
  • The claim for Property Tax Credit (HS 122) must be filed annually along with the Household Income Schedule HI-144. Household income includes all the funds available to support a household. It includes both taxable and nontaxable income.
  • Homestead Declaration is required and is Section A of the Vermont Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claim Form HS-122.
  • Information from the property tax is needed, including house site value, house site education tax and house site municipal tax and household income.
  • Completed Federal Income Tax return (Federal Form 1040) and all schedules, if applying by mail.
  • You can submit your claim electronically when you file your Vermont Income Tax return.

Homestead Declaration

In Vermont, all property is subject to education property tax to pay for the state’s schools. For the education property tax, property is categorized as either homestead or nonhomestead. All property is considered nonhomestead, unless it is declared as a homestead. The education property tax rate levied on a homestead property differs from the rate levied on a nonhomestead property.

The homeowner is responsible for claiming the property as a homestead and must apply annually.

Eligibility
  • You are a Vermont resident.
  • You own and occupy a homestead as your domicile as of April 1, 2026.
    Note: If you meet these requirements, except that your homestead is leased to a tenant on April 1, 2026, you may still claim it as a homestead if it is not leased for more than 182 days in the 2026 calendar year.
  • The property cannot be used as a second home, camp, vacation, or summer cottage.
Application Deadline
  • The Homestead Declaration for 2026 is due April 15 and no later than October 15, 2026. Your municipality may assess a penalty after the April due date.
  • The penalty is up to 3% if the nonhomestead rate is higher than the homestead education property tax rate or up to 8% if the nonhomestead education property tax rate is lower than the homestead rate.
  • The application must be submitted annually.
  • Application can be filed electronically or by mail.
Required Documentation
  • Form HS-122, the Homestead Declaration and the Property Tax Credit Claim
  • Social Security number
  • School Property Account Number
  • Three-digit school district code found on the property tax bill

Renter Credit Claim

The Renter Credit Program refunds eligible renters a portion of their rent paid based on HUD fair market rent guidelines.

Eligibility
  •  The renter must be domiciled in Vermont for the entire calendar year 2025.
  • The renter cannot be claimed in 2025 as a dependent of another taxpayer.
  • The renter must have rented in Vermont for at least six months in 2025.
  • You meet the income eligibility limits based on your family size.
Application Deadline

Your Renter Credit claim is due by April 15. You can still file until October 15, but a late fee may be deducted from your credit if you miss the initial deadline.

Required Documentation
  • Completed Vermont Renter Credit Claim, Form RCC-166
  • You are no longer required to obtain a landlord certificate from your landlord in order to apply for a Renter Credit. However, your landlord is required to file a certificate with the Department in order for your application to be honored.
  • You will need to know the SPAN for the unit you are filing on. If you don’t know this number, enter your street address in the SPAN Finder.
  • If you didn’t file a federal income tax return, only include items of income that would be included on the federal return if you filed one.