HOMEOWNERS in the US are set to receive immediate tax relief and cash refunds as part of a new fairness law – and you need to check your bills to see if you’re eligible.
Governor Matt Meyer signed the reforms which provide relief to Delaware homeowners with soaring tax bills following a statewide property reassessment.
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The laws are designed as “stopgap” fixes which will help families who were hit by from sudden tax hikes after the state’s first major property reassessment in over 40 years.
Meyer signed off the new measures in the early hours of August 13, just hours after a dramatic late-night session at the state legislature.
Thousands of households in New Castle County – Delaware’s most populated area – saw their bills skyrocket this year, while many businesses ended up paying less.
The reassessment reportedly shifted a lot of the tax burden onto residential properties.
One of the biggest changes now allows school districts to set split tax rates.
This will give one rate for homeowners and another for commercial properties.
Schools will now increase businesses’ share of taxes in order to reduce the pressure on households.
Officials say locals should see less expensive bills once the new rates are in place.
But increases will not disappear completely.
The deadline to pay the bills has also been pushed back by two months, from September 30 to November 30.
This will help give families extra breathing space.
Homeowners will soon get updated bills in the post showing the new adjusted amounts.
For those who have already overpaid, you won’t lose out.
You will either get a direct refund or credit on your next bill.
Another measure makes it possible to spread school tax payments across three instalments for the 2025-26 tax year, instead of paying up front.
This change is designed to ease the cost of living for families while still keeping school funding.
And for the thousands of residents who have lodged appeals against their new property values, the county has promised refunds.
If your appeal is successful and you’ve overpaid by more than $50, you’ll get the difference back in cash.
Smaller amounts will roll forward as a credit.
Republicans had tried to block a long-standing rule letting schools raise up to 10 per cent extra revenue after reassessment, but the proposal was voted down.
Unions representing teachers said schools would have faced a funding crisis without that help.
Overall, the latest changes set to soften the blow of higher bills in the months ahead.
Residents have been urged to check their updated tax notices carefully and claim refunds or credits if they’ve already overpaid.
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