HOUSTON (Nov. 16, 06) – Disabled residents and those over 65, residing in the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, are eligible for the district’s property tax exemption and recently enacted tax freeze.

The district recently lowered the district’s tax rate for the fifth time in the past decade and extended a tax freeze to disabled residents as well as individuals 65 and older. The freeze keeps NHMCCD taxes for those individuals at their current dollar amount even if their property value increases. The current exemption for is $75,000 in addition to a $5,000 homestead exemption.

“We have received several questions from residents in the district about our new tax freeze and we wanted to clarify it for everyone,” said Cindy Gilliam, chief financial officer and vice chancellor of business affairs for NHMCCD. “If a homeowner is over the age of 65 or disabled, and has already filed for the exemption, the actual dollar amount in NHMCCD taxes that appears on his or her 2006 tax statement is considered frozen. From this point forward, that amount will never go higher, and could actually go lower if the district lowers its rate.”

Any resident who already has an over-65 or disabled exemption on file with their county appraisal district will automatically receive the exemption and tax freeze from the college district. Eligible residents who have not completed the exemption form can do so by contacting their county’s appraisal district or visiting their appraisal district’s Web site. It is not necessary to reapply for the exemption unless notified by the county’s chief appraiser.

NHMCCD comprises Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, seven satellite centers and The University Center. To learn more, visit www.nhmccd.edu.

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