Real Property Tax Exemption: Elderly & Disabled

Background

The Virginia General Assembly enacted legislation allowing Loudoun County to provide an exemption from real property taxes on the principal dwelling and up to three acres for residents who are at least 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled.  Any additional acreage or structures, such as pools, barns, sheds etc. may be taxed. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has codified the requirements for residents to receive the exemption. In December 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved updates to Chapter 872.06(a) of the Loudoun County Codified Ordinances to include a 50% exemption with four income and net worth brackets for the Real Property Tax Relief effective for tax year 2019.

In July 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved updates to Chapter 872 of the Loudoun County Codified Ordinances to increase the income limitation to receive a 100% or 50% exemption from your real estate taxes.  Please see the table below for the Annual Gross Household Income limits effective for 2024 Tax Relief applications. At the same time the Board also added that disability income of the owner, owner’s spouse or any relative of the owner or owner’s spouse residing in the home will be excluded from the income calculation.

Please read the requirements below to see if you qualify. All qualifications must be met. To receive an exemption, complete the 2024 Loudoun County Tax Relief Application (PDF) and provide the supporting documentation as described.

The application and assistance are available during business hours at the Leesburg and Sterling offices. If you need assistance please email the Exemptions and Deferrals Division or call 703-737-8557.

Change in Circumstances after Exemption

It is important that our office be notified of any changes in property ownership or occupancy, net worth, or income since the exemption may be affected.  If the property is transferred or placed in a trust, or ceases to be the applicant’s residence or property, immediate disqualification could occur.  Distributions from retirement accounts are included in income even if rolled into other investments and could result in disqualification. Please consult with staff before transferring property, moving or requesting a lump sum distribution from a retirement account.

When qualified real property is sold or title is transferred, the last qualifying owner dies, or the property ceases to be the primary residence, real property taxes are pro-rated based on the number of full months the property and owner continue to qualify. The property ceases to be the primary residence when the last qualifying applicant is occupying a hospital, nursing home or other facility for physical or mental care and are not expected to return to the residence.

Requirements for Real Property Owned by an Individual or a Married Couple

Age/Disability

  • Owner/Applicant must be at least 65 or permanently disabled as of December 31 of the previous year.
    • Disability certification
      • Social Security Administration
      • Department of  Veterans Affairs
      • Railroad Retirement Board
    • Sworn affidavits from two medical doctors licensed in Virginia or two military officers who practice medicine in the United States Armed Forces - use the Tax Relief Affidavit of Disability (PDF) for their completion.

Real Property Ownership/Use/Occupancy

  • The title to the property must be held by the applicant(s) on January 1 of the current year.
  • The property must be occupied as the SOLE dwelling except when the owner(s) reside in a hospital or nursing home for physical or mental care. The dwelling may not be rented.

Income and Net Worth

  • Annual Gross Household Income
    • This is computed by adding all the prior year’s income (i.e. 2023 for a 2024 application) received by the owner(s), the owner’s spouse, and all relatives of the owner(s) that resided in the home on December 31.
    • A deduction up to $10,000 may be applied to the spouse of an owner and to any relatives with income residing in the home. If the income of the spouse or the relative is less than $10,000 the deduction can only be up to the amount of income received by that person.
    • 100% of the disability income of the owner, owner’s spouse or any relative of the owner or owner’s spouse residing in the home are deducted from gross household income.
  • Total Net Financial Worth is calculated as of December 31 of the previous year. Net worth includes value of all assets less liabilities of the owner(s) and the spouse of any owner, excluding the value of the dwelling and lot up to 10 acres.
  • Effective January 1, 2019, the 50% exemption was added as outlined in this table. The limitations applicable for the 100% exemption have not changed.
Annual Gross Household Income

Total Net Financial Worth


Percentage of Exemption*
$0 - $77,000Cannot Exceed $440,000100%
$0 - $70,000$440,000.01 to $560,00050%
$0 - $63,000$560,000.01 to $680,00050%
$0 - $56,000$680,000.01 to $800,00050%
$0 - $49,000$800,000.01 to $920,00050%

* on dwelling and lot up to 3 acres

  • Effective for 2022 and subsequent year Tax Relief applications, the Annual Gross Household Income limitations have been increased to the amounts shown below.

Requirements for Real Property Owned by Two or More Individuals Not All of Whom are 65 or Totally and Permanently Disabled

Age/Disability

  • One owner of the dwelling is at least 65 or permanently and totally disabled as of December 31 of the previous year.
    • Disability Certification
      • Social Security Administration
      • Department of Veterans Affairs 
      • Railroad Retirement Board
      • Sworn affidavits from two medical doctors licensed in Virginia or two military officers who practice medicine in the United States Armed Forces - use the Tax Relief Affidavit of Disability (PDF) for their completion.

Real Property Ownership/Use/Occupancy

  • The title to the property must be held on January 1 and jointly owned with a non-qualifying individual.
  • The property must be occupied as the SOLE dwelling by ALL owners of the real property except when the owner(s) reside in a hospital or nursing home for physical or mental care.  The dwelling may not be rented.

Income and Net Worth

  • Gross combined income in the previous year cannot exceed $77,000
    • This is income from all sources of the owner(s) of the real property and the owners’ relatives residing in the dwelling.
    • Up to $10,000 of income received by the applicant’s spouse and each applicant’s relatives, who are residing in the home, may be deducted from gross combined income. If the income of the spouse or the relative is less than $10,000, the deduction can only be up to the amount of income received.
    • 100% of the disability income of the owner, owner’s spouse or any relative of the owner or owner’s spouse residing in the home are deducted from gross household income.
  • Net worth as of December 31, 2023, cannot exceed $727,667 and includes the value of all assets less liabilities of the owner(s) and the spouse of any owner, including the fair market value of the dwelling and land. The net worth limit increase annually by an amount equivalent to the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index.