| Rates rebate deadline looms |
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| Written by Emily Visser | |
| Tuesday, 26 August 2008 | |
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Property owners have until Saturday to apply for their rates rebates. Various categories qualify for rebates, including pensioners, educational institutions and sports clubs.  Poor, elderly residents have until 30 August to apply for rates rebates THE rates rebate deadline expires in five days and Johannesburg residents who qualify have been encouraged to apply urgently. People qualifying for rates rebates have until the end of the month - the last working day of which is Saturday, 30 August - to apply. Only the customer service centre at Thuso House in Braamfontein is open every Saturday, while selected customer service centres are open on the first and last Saturdays of the month. The rates and taxes directorate reminds residents that they are still required to pay their bills in full until the rebate is applied. "The rebate will then be backdated to 1 July 2008 and credited to the next month's account," says Erika Naude, the City's director for rates and taxes. Pensioners "In the case of pensioners only, this application will be valid for two years. In the case of other applicants like schools, community organisations, non-governmental organisations, heritage sites and so on, the application, if approved, is only valid for one year," Naude says. Pensioners of 60 years and older who live off a national security grant or who earn less than R5 000 a month, qualify for a full rebate on their rates. Those earning between R5 000 and R9 000 a month qualify for a 50 percent rebate. In all instances, pensioners must own and live on the property to which the rates are applicable. And pensioners owning sectional title properties are also eligible for the 20 percent rebate applicable to this property category. Previously, the body corporate was liable for the property rates and the status of individual owners could not be considered. This rebate is automatically applied by the City. Where more than one rebate is applicable to a property owner the heritage site rebate takes precedence over the other rebates. The sectional title rebate ranks second in order of preference, followed by the higher density and pensioner rebates. Rebates are calculated on the reducing balances, as each is deducted. Other rebates Rebates will also be considered for owners of vacant land who may apply for a 50 percent rebate if the City has been unable to provide basic municipal services to develop the land. This also applies to Eskom power supply areas. Sports clubs that are either unable to pay their rates; or whose membership is open to previously disadvantaged persons; or that own the land, which is primarily used for sporting activities; or if they are involved in sports development programmes for previously disadvantaged communities, may qualify for a 40 percent rebate. In all instances sufficient proof must be supplied. Bona fide farmers registered as such with the South African Revenue Services qualify for a 55 percent rebate. This includes the homestead and all outbuildings. However, no sliding scale will be applied to properties larger than one hectare. Educational institutions automatically qualify for rebates. In the case of senior secondary and primary schools registered with the Gauteng department of education, a 50 percent rebate applies. For tertiary institutions this rebate is 20 percent. Residents can get additional information and rebate application forms from any of the City's customer service centres, or request an email copy of the application form by sending a request to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or download the form from the City's website. Related stories: |
