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Homestead Exemption forms are due
May is Older Americans Month. The theme of the 2021 celebration – Communities of Strength – recognizes the contributions older adults make to help build strong communities across the country.
In conjunction with Older Americans Month, this year the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging has presented its inaugural Spirit of Aging Award to three individuals and a local church congregation. The nominations came from ENOA staff members. The winners were selected by a committee of ENOA employees. • Advocacy: Dr. Julie Masters holds the Terry Haney Chair as a professor in the Department of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
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“Dr. Masters has made numerous contributions to ENOA over the years, first as an employee, and then in her multi-faceted role at UNO,” said ENOA’s Executive Director Trish Bergman.
“She’s passionate about helping people understand and embrace aging,” said an ENOA staff member who nominated Dr. Masters. • Medical/Healthcare: Dr. Jane Potter is a professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
“Dr. Potter is a valuable asset to ENOA both as a healthcare professional and as an advocate for older Nebraskans,” Bergman said.
“Whenever possible, Dr. Potter promotes ENOA and the work we do in the community,” said an ENOA staff member who nominated Dr. Potter.
Both Dr. Masters and Dr. Potter serve on ENOA’s Advisory Council, a group of local professionals who share their expertise to help guide the agency as it carries out its mission. • Donor: St. Gerald’s Catholic Church.
“For more than 25 years, St. Gerald’s Angel Tree program has supported hundreds of ENOA clients by purchasing Christmas gifts for them,” Bergman said. “Members of the congregation have also sewn, quilted, and donated countless blankets, walker bags, and hats for our clients throughout the year.” • Volunteer: Diane Snider.
“Diane volunteered and coordinated a group of employees from First Data Resources – now called FiServe – to deliver Meals on Wheels for more than a quarter century,” Bergman said.
“Diane is a lifesaver and an amazing person,” said an ENOA staff member who nominated Snider.
For more on the Spirit of Aging Awards, see page 16.
Return homestead exemption applications by June 30
Applicants whose names are on file in the assessor’s office in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties should have had a homestead exemption form mailed to them by early March. New applicants must contact their county assessor’s office to receive the application.
The 2021 forms and a household income statement must be completed and returned to the county assessor’s office by June 30, 2021.
A homestead exemption provides property tax relief by exempting all or part of the homestead’s valuation from taxation. The state of Nebraska reimburses the counties and other government subdivisions for the lost tax revenues.
To qualify for a homestead exemption, a Nebraska homeowner must be age 65 by Jan. 1, 2021, the home’s owner/occupant through Aug. 15, 2021, and fall within the income guidelines shown below.
Certain homeowners who have a disability, are developmentally disabled, are totally disabled war veterans, or the widow(er) of a totally disabled war veteran – including those who have remarried after age 57 – may also be eligible for this annual tax break.
When determining household income, applicants must include Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits plus any income for which they receive a Form 1099.
The homestead exemption amount is based on the homeowner’s marital status and income level (see below). Maximum exemptions are based on the average assessed value for residential property in each Nebraska county.
Here are the numbers for the local assessor’s offices: Douglas: 402-4447060, options #2; Sarpy: 402-593-2122; Dodge: 402-727-3911; Cass: 402-2969310; and Washington: 402-426-6800.
Household income table
Over age 65 married income
0 - $35,100.99 $35,101 - $36,900.99 $36,901 - $38,800.99 $38,801 - $40,700.99 $40,701 - $42,600.99 $42,601 - $44,500.99 $44,501 - $46,400.99 $46,401 - $48,300.99 $48,301 - $50,200.99 $50,201 - $52,000.99 $52,001 and over Over age 65 single income
0 to $29,800.99 $29,801 - $31,400.99 $31,401 - $32,900.99 $32,901 - $34,500.99 $34,501 - $36,100.99 $36,101 - $37,600.99 $37,601 - $39,200.99 $39,201 - $40,700.99 $40,701 - $42,300.99 $42,301 - $43,800.99 $43,801 and over Exemption %
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
New Horizons
New Horizons is the official publication of the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. The paper is distributed free to people over age 60 in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Washington, and Cass counties. Those living outside the five-county region may subscribe for $5 annually. Address all correspondence to: Jeff Reinhardt, Editor,
4780 S. 131st Street, Omaha, NE 68137-1822. Phone 402-444-6654. FAX 402-444-3076. E-mail: jeff.reinhardt@enoa.org
Advertisements appearing in New Horizons do not imply endorsement of the advertiser by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. However, complaints about advertisers will be reviewed and, if warranted, their advertising discontinued. Display and insert advertising rates available on request. Open rates are commissionable, with discounts for extended runs. Circulation is 9,000 through direct mail .
Editor....................................................Jeff Reinhardt Ad Mgr................Mitch Laudenback, 402-444-4148 Contributing Writers.........Nick Schinker & Leo Biga
ENOA Board of Governors: Mary Ann Borgeson, Douglas County, chairperson; Janet McCartney, Cass County, vice-chairperson; Lisa Kramer, Washington County, secretary; Pat Tawney, Dodge County, & Angi Burmeister, Sarpy County.
