Government is reminding seniors that the law exempting them from paying land tax will come into effect on January 1 2005. To qualify for the exemption, seniors must be:

a) Bermudian by birth or status;

b) 65 years of age or older; and

c) owners of the unit in which they reside (including a lease for life or life interest) or hold a lease of three years or more.

Seniors who currently enjoy either a full or partial exemption from land tax and who have recently re-confirmed their status with the Office of the Tax Commissioner are not required to re-apply for exemption. This will be automatically granted with effect from January 1, 2005.

Seniors who meet the exemption criteria but who have not yet applied to the Tax Commissioner for exemption, are urged to do so by visiting the Office of the Tax Commissioner, first Floor, Perry Building (next to MarketPlace), Church Street, Hamilton or by telephoning the office at 297-7537 or 297-7743.

Finance Minister Paula Cox, said the land tax exemption for seniors was part of Government?s Social Agenda to help the have-nots to have more. ?Government is offering this concession to our seniors in recognition of their contribution to the community,? she said.

The full concession takes effect from January 1 2005 and does not include land tax bills that were issued in 2004 or prior years. Seniors who have balances owing on existing land tax bills or who require further help in this matter are advised to contact the Office of the Tax Commissioner.