New Castle CountyTax Relief Programs
Comprehensive relief programs offering $500 to $3,000+ in annual savings. Explore senior citizen credits, disabled veteran benefits, agricultural exemptions, and more - many with no income limits.
Eligibility Requirements:
- 100% VA disability rating (or IU P&T)
- Delaware domicile for 3 consecutive years
- Property used as primary residence
- No income limits whatsoever
Application Details:
- Deadline: April 30th annually
- No annual reapplication required
- Submit to County Assessment Division
- Married couples: qualifying spouse gets full credit
Delaware Senior School Property Tax Credit
Most Accessible50% credit on school taxes up to $500 annually
- No income limits
- 3 years residency (moved to DE 2013-2017)
- 10 years residency (moved to DE 2018 or later)
- Deadline: April 30th
- No retroactive applications
- Submit to County Treasury
- Age 65+ by June 30th
New Castle County Over-65 Exemption
Up to $173,000 county + $173,000 school exemptions
- County: Income under $65,000
- School: Income under $15,000/$19,000
- Property value under $676,000
- Deadline: June 1st
- 10 years Delaware residency
- Savings vary by district tax rate
- Includes sewer benefits
County Tax Exemption:
- Income under $65,000 annually
- Up to $427,000 assessed value exemption
- Savings vary by assessed value
- 10 years Delaware residency
School Tax Exemption:
- Income under $15,000 (single) / $19,000 (married)
- Up to $173,000 base (up to $427,000 with add-ons)
- Savings vary by district tax rate
- Deadline: June 1st annually
Farmland Assessment
Most Substantial Protection- Agricultural productivity vs. market value
- Minimum $1,000 farm income
- No minimum acreage required
- Deadline: February 1st
- Saves thousands annually
- 10-year rollback tax risk
Wilmington City Tax Exemption
- $210,300 assessed value exemption
- Savings vary by assessed value
- Wilmington residents only
- Income under $15,650/$21,150
- Deadline: April 30th
- Excludes Social Security
Sewer Clean-out Reimbursement
- Up to $75 reimbursement
- Once per 12 months
- Must hold Over-65 or Disability exemption
- NCC only (excludes Wilmington, Newark, Middletown)
Veterans Strategy: Apply for both disabled veterans credit (April 30th) and county disability exemptions (June 1st) to maximize benefits.
Seniors Strategy: Apply for both state school credit (April 30th) and county exemptions (June 1st). State program has no income limits if county limits are exceeded.
Critical Deadlines: February 1st (farmland), April 30th (state programs, Wilmington), June 1st (county programs). No retroactive applications permitted.
Application Reminders
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Direct Form Access
FREEReceive direct links to official application forms and program information.
Application Support
ADD-ONOptional assistance with form completion and submission if you need extra help.
New Castle County
Application Assistance
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