Christmas may have come early for the elderly as the City of Johannesburg paid back more than R167 million in property rebates to pensioners who own residential properties in the metro.
The city granted property rebates to over 20 000 qualifying pension-owning homeowners over one year between July 2023 and June 2024.
From the month of July, more than 30 000 property rebate applications were submitted to the city, with 5 902 being rejected due to various reasons.
Group Finance director for communications and stakeholder engagement at the Joburg municipality, Kgamanyane Maphologela, cited a few reasons why some property rebates were rejected.
“The applicant is not the registered owner of the property. The supporting documents of an applicant are incomplete. Our team reaches out to request additional information and, if received, the application is reconsidered,” said Maphologela.
In addition, the income of the registered owner, particularly in cases related to pensioners aged between 60 and 69, exceeds the threshold income of R21 383.
Pensioners and co-owners aged between 60 and 69, who earn up to R12 475, qualify for 100% rebate.
However, those who earn more than R21 383 qualify for 50% rebate. Property rates will be levied on the market value of more than R1.5 million.
Maphologela also explained that income levels of pensioners above 70 years old are not considered.
Therefore, they qualify for 100% property rebate up to the market value of R2m, which includes the essential threshold value of R300 000.
Property rates will be levied on properties with market value of more than R2m, said Maphologela.
He said the metro was pleased to have pooled such an overwhelming number of property rebate applications.
“The city is pleased that more and more pensioners continue to apply and be approved to receive pensioner rebates. The city continues to work around the clock to process all pensioner applications,” he said.
Residents can apply for the rebate anytime as soon as they become pensioners during the year.
“The city is aware that many pensioners responded to its call to apply for pensioner rebates, which will go a long way to give them some relief especially when they are under financial strain. The huge uptake is noticeable, and we encourage those who qualify but have not applied to still apply.
“Pensioners who applied before or by the end of 30 September 2023, and those that were captured have their rebates adjusted and backdated to 1 July 2023. The city continues to embark on educational campaigns and assists pensioners to apply for rebates across respective regions.”
Applicants wishing to apply for property rebates must have the following requirements:
*Be the registered owner/s of the property.
*The owner/s must own and occupy the property.
*Be 60 years of age or older upon application.
*Submit a certified copy of a valid identity document as proof of his/her age.
*Submit proof of his/her monthly income including the co-owners (60-69).
*The rebate is applicable to one property, should the applicant own more than one property.
The Star
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