Vermont Vermont Homestead Declaration AND Property Tax Credit Claim (Instructions)

Vermont Homestead Declaration AND Property Tax Credit Claim (Instructions) 
Form HS-122 (Instructions)
Be on Guard against Identity Theft and Tax Scams
Identity theft, tax refund fraud, and similar tax scams continue to target taxpayers in Vermont. Taxpayers have
reported emails and phone calls from people posing as employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the
Vermont Department of Taxes. Some scammers are clever enough to pose as their victims’ tax preparers to obtain
private information. A common ploy scammers use is to falsely claim taxes are owed and demand immediate
payment using threats and bullying. Scammers often target the elderly using these tactics.
How to protect yourself from becoming a victim
•	 Never give out personal information unless you are sure of the identity of the person requesting it.
•	 If you suspect that an email or phone call is fraudulent, do not engage in conversation. Contact the
Department at (802) 828-2865 or 1-866-828-2865 (toll-free) to verify an email or phone call.
How to report fraud
•	 Report suspected fraud immediately to the Vermont Department of Taxes and the IRS. Information about
how to report fraud is available on the Department website at tax.vermont.gov/identity-theft.
•	 Suspected fraud also should be reported to the Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program
at 1-800-649-2424 (toll-free).

Online Options for Filers at myVTax.vermont.gov
NO LOGIN REQUIRED

You can do more online through myVTax.
•	 File extensions for Personal Income Tax
•	 File Renter Credit Claim (Form RCC-146)
•	 Landlords can file the Landlord Certificate (Form LRC-140) and Statement of Rent for Mobile
Home Park Lot Rent, Co-ops, and Land Trusts (Form LRC-147)
•	 File the Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit (Form HS-122/Schedule HI-144)
•	 Set up third party access for your tax preparer
•	 Respond to correspondence
•	 Access “Check the Status of your Return” service to view information on your return and refund
status
•	 Check your estimated payments and carryforwards
•	 Make your Personal Income Tax payments electronically for no charge via ACH Debit
•	 File and pay Property Transfer Tax
•	 Enter into a payment plan
Please note: To e-file your IN-111 and associated schedules, you must use a commercial software vendor. If
you are eligible, you may file for free using one of the software vendors offering free services to Vermonters.
For eligibility and to see the offers, visit tax.vermont.gov/free-file.

		
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Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit
FORM HS-122 SECTION A

Vermont Homestead Declaration

THE HOMESTEAD DECLARATION must be filed each year by Vermont residents for purposes of the state education tax rate.
The Declaration identifies the property as the homestead of the Vermont resident. A Vermont homestead is taxed
at the homestead education property tax rate, while a different education property tax rate applies to nonhomestead
property (previously known as the “nonresidential” rate). Nonhomestead property is property used for commercial
purposes or property not used as the principal (primary) residence, such as a second home, camp, or summer cottage.
A property may be classified as both homestead and nonhomestead. This occurs when a part of the home is used
for commercial purposes or as a rental. The property tax bill will show a homestead education property tax rate and
a nonhomestead education property tax rate. For more information on the Homestead Declaration, please visit our
website tax.vermont.gov for our quick reference guides and statutes.
You must file a declaration by April 15, 2024, if you meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
1.	 Own the Vermont property as your principal residence as of April 1, 2024, AND
2.	 Expect to physically occupy the Vermont property as your domicile. The declaration must be filed even if it is late.
NOTE: If you meet these requirements, except that your homestead is leased to a tenant on April 1, 2024, you may still
claim it as a homestead if it is not leased for more than 182 days in the calendar year. Other ownership circumstances
include the following:
•	 When there is more than one owner (joint ownership), only one owner occupant should file.
•	 Owners with a life estate interest who occupy the dwelling as their principal residence must file.
•	 Certain trusts may qualify as a homestead. For more information, read Reg. § 1.5401(7) Homestead on
our website. Please note that changes to this regulation are being proposed to conform to amendments made
to this statute.
•	 An estate holding a residence that was the homestead of the deceased person at the time of death may file a
homestead if the residence is not rented.
•	 When the residence is owned by the estate of the deceased spouse, the widow or widower may file a
homestead declaration as long as it is likely that the residence will pass to the widow or widower when the
estate is settled.
Homestead Declarations filed by April 15, 2024, are considered timely, classified as homesteads on the grand list, and taxed at the
homestead education property tax rate.
Homestead Declarations filed after April 15, 2024, are classified as homesteads but may be assessed the following penalty by the
town:
•	 Up to 3% if the nonhomestead rate is higher than the homestead education property tax rate.
•	 Up to 8% if the nonhomestead rate is lower than the homestead education property tax rate.
Homestead Declarations filed after Oct. 15, 2024, will be classified as nonhomestead. The owner will be charged the higher of the
two rates, assessed a penalty, and must pay any additional property tax and interest due.
What if you SELL your property before April 1, 2024? If you filed a Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claim before
April 1, 2024, you must withdraw the declaration and claim using Form HS-122W, available on our website.
What if you rent your homestead on April 1 and occupy it yourself for fewer than 183 days in the calendar year? You must
withdraw the declaration using Form HS-122W, Vermont Homestead Declaration and/or Property Tax Credit
Withdrawal. Form HS-122W is available on our website. If you occupy your home fewer than 183 days, you are
disqualified from filing both the Homestead Declaration and the Property Tax Credit Claim.
Claimant Information: Enter your Social Security Number, name, and mailing address. If applicable, enter the Social Security
Number and name of your spouse/civil union partner. Enter your date of birth. Example: March 27, 1948, is entered
as 03 27 1948
Location of Homestead: Enter the physical location (street, road name) Please do not enter a post office box or write “same,” “see
above,” or the city/town name. Examples: 123 Maple Street or 276 Route 12A
Legal Residence: Enter the town or city name of your legal residence as of April 1, 2024. If there is both a city and town with the same
name, please specify. Examples: Barre City or Barre Town, St. Albans City or St. Albans Town
Federal Filing Status: Check the box to indicate the filing status used on your 2023 federal income tax return. If you are not required
to file a federal income tax return, leave the box blank.
Line A1	

SPAN (School Property Account Number): This is a unique 11-digit identification number assigned by the town
or city and is printed on the property tax bill. It is very important to verify your SPAN. The property tax credit is
credited to the property tax bill for this SPAN.

		
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Line A2	

Business Use of Dwelling: Enter percentage of the dwelling used for business. Leave blank if there is no business
use or the business use is 25% or less.

Line A3	

Rental Use of Dwelling: Enter the percentage of the dwelling that is rented. All rental use is required to be reported
even if it is 25% or under.

Line A4	

Business or Rental Use of Improvements and Other Buildings on the Property Check the applicable “Yes” or
“No” box. Check the “Yes” box if any improvements or other buildings are rented out or used for business.

Lines A5-A8	

Special Situations: Check situation applicable.

FORM HS-122 SECTION B

Property Tax Credit Claim

To be eligible for a Property Tax Credit, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
1.	 The property must be declared as your homestead.
2.	 You were domiciled in Vermont for the entire 2023 calendar year.
3.	 You own the property as your principal residence on April 1, 2024.
4.	 You were not claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer for the 2023 tax year.
5.	 You meet the household income criteria of $128,000 or less.

Due Date - April 15, 2024
	
Claims for Property Tax Credits filed between April 15 and Oct. 15, 2024, will have a $15 late filing fee deducted
from the property tax credit.
2024 Property Tax Credits filed after Oct. 15, 2024, generally cannot be accepted.
Incomplete claims cannot be processed and are considered unfiled.
Receipt Date 	 Forms mailed through the U.S. Post Office are considered timely if received by the Vermont Department of Taxes
within three business days of the due date. If you file electronically, the receipt date is the transmission date.
HOMEOWNER DECEASED before April 1, 2024? The right to file for a Property Tax Credit ends if the homeowner dies before
April 1, 2024. If a single homeowner has filed a claim before April 1 but then dies before April 1, the claim must be
withdrawn using Form HS-122W. If, however, two homeowners have filed jointly before April 1, but then one of
them dies before April 1, the claim belongs to the surviving homeowner.
PURCHASED a home as your principal residence on or before April 1, 2024? You must file Form HS-122 Sections A and B to
make a property tax credit claim. You can file online on our website at myVTax.vermont.gov.
Amending Form HS-122 Certain lines of their Property Tax Credit claim form can be amended. This includes housesite value,
housesite education tax, housesite municipal tax, ownership percentage, and household income. Original return must
be filed timely.
INJURED SPOUSE CLAIMS: To make an “injured spouse” claim, send the following information prior to filing your claim:
1.	 Copy of federal Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation (if you filed this form with the IRS)
2.	 A signed letter of request for your claim
3.	 Documentation of your ownership interest, for example, your deed
Mail information to:
			
ATTN: Injured Spouse Unit
			
Vermont Department of Taxes
			
PO Box 1645
			
Montpelier VT 05601-1645
	
The Department will notify you if the property tax credit is taken to pay a bill. You have 30 days from the date on
the notice to submit the injured spouse claim to the Department.
Before you begin to file for the Property Tax Credit, you must first determine if you meet household income criteria. Complete
Schedule HI-144, Household Income, to see if you are eligible for a credit.
Schedule HI-144 must be submitted with Form HS-122.
Lines B1 – B3 Eligibility Questions: Check the appropriate “Yes” or “No” box to answer the eligibility questions. ALL eligibility
questions must be answered.

Information for Lines B4 – B6 is found on your 2023/2024 property tax bill.
Line B4 	

Housesite Value: Enter the assessed housesite value shown on the 2023/2024 property tax bill. See the instructions
under “Special Situations” for information on new construction or purchase of a new home.

Line B5 	

Housesite Education Property Tax: Enter the education property tax shown on the 2023/2024 property tax bill.

Line B6 	

Housesite Municipal Tax: Enter the municipal property tax shown on the 2023/2024 property tax bill.

		
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Line B7 	

Ownership Interest: Any person who meets eligibility requirements to file a Homestead Declaration should be
included in the ownership interest. For example, if all owners are members of the household, occupying the property
as their principal residence, enter 100%. If some owners are not members of the household, meaning they do not
occupy the property as their principal residence, then ownership interest is the percentage of ownership for household
members only. For example, if there are four owners but only two of them occupy the property as their principal
residence, enter 50%.

Line B8 	

Household Income: Enter the amount calculated on Schedule HI-144, Line z. If you are amending your Household
Income Schedule, please mark the box with an “X.”

Line B9	

Lot Rent: If you rent a lot in a privately owned mobile home park, obtain Form LRC-147, Statement of Rent for
Mobile Home Park Lot Rent, Co-Ops, and Land Trusts, from your landlord and enter the amount of Allocable Rent.

Lines B10 – B11 Allocated Tax from Land Trust, Cooperative, or Nonprofit Mobile Home Park: Enter the amount of education
and municipal property tax shown on Form LRC-147 by the land trust, cooperative, or nonprofit mobile home park.
Lines B12 – B13 Property Tax from Contiguous Property: If you own contiguous property, you may use the property taxes from
that parcel if the property tax bill for your dwelling has under two acres or part of the dwelling or a building, such as
a garage, is on the contiguous property.
Signature: 	

Sign the property tax credit claim.

Date: 	

Enter the date you sign the claim.

Disclosure Authorization: Check this box if you wish to give the Vermont Department of Taxes authorization to discuss this claim
with your tax preparer. Be sure the tax preparer’s name is included. This authorization will automatically end
April 15, 2029.
Preparer: 	

If you are a paid preparer, you must sign this claim, enter your Social Security Number or PTIN, and if employed by a
business, include the Federal Employer Identification Number of the business. If someone other than the homeowner
prepared this claim without charging a fee, the preparer’s signature is optional.

If mailing this return, send to:
		
Vermont Department of Taxes
		
PO Box 1881
		
Montpelier, VT 05601-1881
The maximum 2024 Property Tax Credit is $8,000.
	

The Property Tax Credit will appear as a state payment on your 2024/2025 property tax bill.

SCHEDULE HI-144

Household Income Schedule

Domicile 	

For a definition of “domicile,” please refer to Reg. § 1.5811(11)(A)(i)-Domicile on our website.

Homeowner 	

You are the homeowner if you own and occupy the housesite as your principal residence.

Household Income means modified Adjusted Gross Income, but not less than zero (0), received in a calendar year by all persons of
a household while members of that household.
Household Members include you, your spouse/civil union partner, roommates, and family members (including children) even if they
file their own income tax returns and are not considered dependents. You must include a spouse/civil union partner
as a member of your household even if your spouse/civil union partner does not live with you in the same home. If,
however, your spouse/civil union partner does not live with you and you and your spouse/civil union partner are
legally separated by court order, then this person is not considered a household member.
	

Exceptions - The following are not considered household members:
•	 A spouse/civil union partner who is at least 62 years of age and who has moved to a nursing home or other
care facility with no reasonable prospect of returning to the household
•	 A person who is not related to any member of the household and who is living in the household under
a written home sharing agreement with a nonprofit home sharing program authorized by the Vermont
Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
•	 A person living in the household who is a bona fide employee hired to provide personal care to a member of
the household and who is not related to the person for whom the care is provided
•	 A person who resides with you (the person filing the claim) for the primary reason of providing attendant
care services or homemaker or companionship services with or without compensation that allows you to
remain in your home or avoid institutionalization. To qualify for this exception, you must be disabled or 62
years of age or older as of Dec. 31, 2023.
•	 A person living in the household who is a refugee, asylum seeker, or asylee on a temporary basis.
		
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Members of the household for a portion of the year. You must include the income received by all persons residing in the home
during the period they resided in the home.
Household Income On Schedule HI-144, Lines a through n, list the items of income that are required to be reported for Household
Income.
•	 Report your income (if filing jointly, include the income of your spouse) under Column 1.
•	 Report the income of your spouse or civil union partner if filing separately, under Column 2.
Exceptions applying to spouse/civil union partner
1.	 You do not have to include your spouse/civil union partner when the person is not living with you
as a member of your household and you are legally separated by court order or previously
established protective/restraining order.
2.	 You do not have to include the income of a spouse who is age 62 or older and has moved permanently
to a nursing home or other care facility.
•	 You do not have to include the income of a spouse who has a court-ordered restraining order in place
prohibiting contact with you.
•	 Report the income of your spouse if filing separately, or civil union partner under Column 2.
	Exclusions: The following are not part of household income:
•	 Economic Impact Payments (federal stimulus checks/payments)
•	 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that have been forgiven
•	 Payments by the State of Vermont for foster care under Vermont law at 33 V.S.A. Chapters 49 and 55
•	 Payments by the State of Vermont to a family for the support of an eligible person with a developmental
disability
•	 Payments by the State of Vermont or an agency for adult foster care payments (formerly “difficulty of care”
payments) found in 18 V.S.A. § 8907
•	 Surplus food or other relief in-kind supplied by a government agency
•	 The first $6,500 of income received (earned or unearned) by a person who qualifies as a dependent of the
claimant under the Internal Revenue Code and who is the claimant’s parent or disabled adult child
•	 The first $6,500 of income earned, such as wages, salaries, tips, etc., by a full-time student who qualifies as
a dependent of the claimant (all unearned income must be reported)
•	 The first $6,500 of gifts of cash and/or cash equivalents received by all household members
•	 Distributions from the contributions to a ROTH IRA (distributions from the earnings of the ROTH IRA are
to be reported in household income)
•	 Gifts from a nongovernmental source, such as aid provided by the Red Cross, Salvation Army, a church, to
assist paying a living expense (for example, fuel, utilities, rent)
•	 Any income that resulted from cancellation of debt. Refer to 32 V.S.A. § 6061(5)(C)

Household Income
Line a 	

Cash public assistance and relief Enter all payments from the State of Vermont Agency of Human Services except
for foster care payments, difficulty of care payments, food stamps, and fuel assistance. The first $6,500 of refugee
settlement payment is excluded.

Line b 	

Social Security, Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), railroad retirement,
and veterans’ benefits (taxable and nontaxable) Enter payments from Social Security as reported in Box 5 of your
SSA-1099 (this box adjusts for any repayment of Social Security benefits you were required to make) or from federal
Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Social Security benefits also include SSI and SSDI payments. Enter
all railroad retirement from RRB-1099 and veteran’s benefits.

Line c 	

Unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation Enter the full unemployment compensation shown on
Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, plus any workers’ compensation you received.

Line d 	

Wages, salaries, tips, etc. Enter the income shown on Form W-2, Box 1. Also report Form 1099-MISC,
Miscellaneous Income, issued for nonemployee compensation if this is income not included as part of Line i,
Business Income. See “Exclusions” in “Household Income” section before completing this line.

Line e 	

Interest and dividends Enter the income reported on federal Form 1040, Lines 2b and 3b.

Line f 	

Interest on U.S., state, or municipal obligations Enter the income reported on federal Form 1040, Line 2a, and all
interest income from federal, state or municipal government bonds. This includes interest taxed at the federal level
but exempted for Vermont income tax purposes and interest not taxed at the federal level.

Line g 	

Alimony, support money Enter the total received for alimony and support money. Support money includes payment
of housing expenses for a household member or other financial assistance that makes it possible for the household
member to live in the homestead or rental unit.

		
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Line h 	

	

Child support and cash gifts List all child support payments received in the calendar year as well as all cash gifts.
Cash gifts include any and all cash received by you or other household members, as well as cash equivalents. Cash
equivalents include gifted stocks, bonds, treasury obligations, certificates of deposit or other household instruments
convertible to cash.
Specify the type of income you are reporting on the indicated line.

Line i	

Business income Enter income attributable to a business. If there is a business loss, leave blank. For taxpayers
filing Married Filing Jointly, where both spouses have business income or loss from sole proprietorships, enter the
amount from federal Form 1040 or leave blank if a negative, in the Claimant column.

Line j	

Capital gains Report nontaxable gains from the sale of your home and gains from federal Schedule D, Capital
Gains and Losses: A capital loss carryforward cannot be used to offset a current year capital gain. Add back federal
Schedule D, Lines 6 and 14 to Line 16. This cannot be less than zero (0).
Exception: A business loss may offset a capital gain on the sale of the business’s property provided all three of the
following are true for the business: (1) the loss and capital gain are for the same business; (2) the IRS requires the
capital gain to be reported; and (3) the business loss and capital gain from the sale of the business’s property both
occurred in the 2023 tax year. If the offset of the capital gain by the loss creates a negative amount, leave blank.
A capital loss cannot offset business income.

	

Line k	

Taxable pensions, annuities, IRAs, and retirement fund distributions Enter the income from retirement, deferred
compensation plans, and annuities as reported on federal Form 1040. Household income includes non-qualified
distributions from retirement and deferred compensation plans and both taxable and nontaxable federal pension and
annuity benefits.

Line l	

Rental and Royalty income Enter the income from each rental property you own as reported on federal
Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss, Part I. Each rental property stands on its own. A loss generated by
one property may not be used to reduce income from a different property. Room and board payments received
as difficulty of care payments for a member of your household are rental income and must be reported on this line.
Report royalty income from federal Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, 1099-S, Proceeds from Real Estate
Transactions; Schedule K-1, Share of Income Deductions, Credits, etc.; or federal Schedule E, Supplemental Income
and Loss, Part I.

Line m	

Income from Partnerships, S Corporations, LLCs, Farms, Trusts and Estates Federal Schedule K-1 passthrough income as required to be reported on federal Schedules E and/or F, Profit or Loss from Farming. Report
ordinary business income, rental income and guaranteed payments from K-1 on this line. The loss from one K-1
cannot offset income from another K-1. A loss is reported as -0-. See Line j instructions for the only provision
allowing netting of a business loss.

Line n	

Other income Sources of other income include, but are not limited to, prizes and awards, gambling or lottery
winnings, director’s fees, employer allowances, taxable refunds from federal Form 1040, allowances received by
dependents of armed service personnel and military subsistence payments (Basic Allowance for Housing, flexible
spending arrangement or account), loss of time insurance, cost of living adjustment paid to federal employees, and
other gains from federal Form 1040. Report on this line income reported to you on federal Form 1099-MISC or
W-2G, Certain Gambling Winnings. For more information on military income, see the “Vermont Tax Guide for
Military and National Services” available on the Department’s website.

Line o	

Add items a through n by column. Carry those amounts over to the top of the next page.

	
Line p	

The following adjustments to household income may be made for each member of the household.
Social Security and Medicare Tax Withheld and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 and Self-Employment Tax
on Income Reported Social Security and Medicare, or equivalent tier 1 payroll tax payments are deducted from
household income, but only to the extent that the salary and wages are included in household income. Please see the
examples that follow:
1.	 Deferred compensation – If you made a deferred compensation contribution for the tax year, the amount of
the contribution is not included in the federal Adjusted Gross Income as stated on Form W-2, Box 1, Wage
and Tax Statement. The Social Security and Medicare taxes on Form W-2 must be reduced for the purposes
of reporting household income on Schedule HI-144. Generally, this amount is 7.65% of the amount stated
on Form W-2, Box 1.
2.	 Military pay – Multiplying the amount stated on Form W-2, Box 1, by 7.65% provides the correct value for
this deduction.
3.	 Allocated tips – In addition to the figures included on Form W-2, add the Social Security and Medicare
payments you made as the result of completing federal Form 4137, Social Security and Medicare Tax On
Unreported Tip Income.
Self-Employed Social Security and Medicare Taxes Paid Self-employed claimants may subtract from household
income the amount from federal Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax, Part I, Line 12, that represents the Social

Adjustments to Income:

	

		
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Security and Medicare taxes paid for 2023 for income reported on Schedule HI-144. For income not required
to be reported upon which Social Security and Medicare taxes were paid, multiply the income not reported on
Schedule HI-144 by 15.3% and subtract the result from the federal Schedule SE amount. The amount of Social
Security and Medicare taxes reported on this line includes the allowable deduction for one-half self-employment tax
on federal Form 1040, Schedule 1, Line 15. You may be asked for a copy of your federal Schedule SE.
Line q	

Child support paid Report only those payments for which receipts or other evidence of payment is available. This
evidence may include cancelled checks or a statement from the Office of Child Support in addition to the name and
Social Security Number of the parent receiving the payment.

Line r	

Allowable Adjustments from federal Schedule 1. The following expenses may be subtracted from income.
r1.	 Certain business expenses of reservists
r2.	 Alimony paid
r3.	 Self-employed health insurance deduction
r4.	 Health savings account deduction

Line s	

Add Lines p, q, and the total of Lines r1 through r4 for each column.

Line t	

Subtract the total adjustments on Line s from the total income on Line o for each column. The adjustments for
any individual in your household cannot exceed the income of that individual. If Line o minus Line s is negative,
enter -0-.

Line u	

Add columns 1, 2, and 3 and enter sum. Entry cannot be less than zero (0).

Line v	

For claimants under the age of 65 as of Dec. 31, 2023, enter the total interest and dividends for all household
members reported on Lines e and f in each column.

Line w	

Add the three columns on Line v.

Line x	

For purposes of calculating the Property Tax Credit, household income is increased by the household total of interest
and dividend income greater than $10,000. Refer to V.S.A. § 6061(e).

Line y	

Subtract Line x from Line w. If Line x is more than Line w, enter -0-.

Line z	

Household Income Add Line u and Line y. Enter this figure on Form HS-122.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Deceased Homeowner
	
Property Tax Credit: An estate cannot make a Property Tax Credit Claim on behalf of a deceased homeowner. If
a homeowner files a Property Tax Credit Claim, but dies prior to April 1, 2024, the estate must withdraw the claim
using Form HS-122W. The estate is responsible to repay any credit issued. If the homeowner filed a Property Tax
Credit Claim between January 1 and March 31 and dies after April 1, 2024, the commissioner may pay the credit to
the town on behalf of another member of the household with ownership interest.
	
An estate may continue classification of the property as a homestead until the following April provided the property
was the deceased homeowner’s homestead at the time of death and the property is not rented.
Delinquent Property Tax The 2024 property tax credit applies to the current year property tax. The municipality may use any
remaining credit towards penalty, interest, or prior year property taxes.
Nursing Home or Residential Care If the homeowner is age 62 or older and another owner who also lived in the homestead is the
homeowner’s spouse/civil union partner or sibling and has moved indefinitely from the homestead to a nursing home
or residential care facility, the homeowner makes the Property Tax Credit Claim with 100% ownership. This applies
only if the spouse/civil union partner or sibling does not make a Renter Credit Claim or the spouse/civil union partner
or sibling does not make a Property Tax Credit Claim for the same homestead.
	
If the homeowner has moved to a nursing home or residential care facility, a Property Tax Credit Claim may be made
if there is a reasonable likelihood that the homeowner will be returning to the homestead and the homeowner does
not make a Renter Credit Claim. The Department may ask for a doctor’s certificate to help determine whether the
nursing home or residential care facility is a temporary location.
Renting at the End of the Year You may be eligible for a Renter Credit Claim for rent paid in 2023 under the following circumstances:
1) If you owned a Vermont homestead in 2023, 2) sold the homestead before April 1, 2023, 3) withdrew or did not
file a 2023 Property Tax Credit Claim and 4) rented between the date of the sale and Dec. 31, 2023.

OWNERSHIP SITUATIONS

Homeowner Age 62 or Older in 2023 If the homeowner shares ownership of the homestead with their descendant(s), the homeowner
may claim 100% ownership interest on the Property Tax Credit Claim, even if the other owners (descendants) do not
live in the homestead. The Department may request a letter of explanation.

		
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Divorced or Legally Separated Joint Owners When the divorce decree or court order has declared a specific percentage of home
ownership for the purpose of property taxes, you must use that percentage if the following apply: 1) you are divorced
or legally separated from your spouse/civil union partner; 2) your name and the name of the spouse/civil union
partner from whom you are divorced or legally separated remain on the deed; and 3) you are awarded possession
of the home. If the divorce decree or court order does not specify responsibility for the property taxes, the person
residing in the homestead uses 50% ownership interest. The person not living in the homestead cannot make a
Property Tax Credit Claim.
	
The Department may ask for a copy of your court documents.
Duplex Housing Both owners occupy the building as their principal residence. The eligible housesite education property tax is
the tax on the portion owned by each homeowner. If the town issues a property tax bill to each homeowner for
their portion of the homestead, use the housesite value, housesite property tax, and 100% ownership interest. If the
property tax bill is for the total property, prorate the housesite value, housesite property tax, and ownership interest.
	
Only one owner occupies the building as their principal residence. The owner occupying the duplex as their
principal residence must prorate for the other owner’s interest.
Entity Ownership Property owned by a C or S corporation, partnership, or limited liability company cannot be claimed as an
individual’s homestead and is not eligible for property tax credit. The only exception is for a homestead located on
a farm. Read Reg. § 1.5401(7)-Homestead at tax.vermont.gov/regulations.
Life Estate 	

A person who holds a life estate interest in a property that they occupy as a principal residence may make a Property
Tax Credit Claim as if the life estate holder was the owner of the property. The deed does not have to be attached to
the Property Tax Credit Claim but must be available for review upon Department request.

Trust Ownership A dwelling owned by a trust is not the homestead of the beneficiary unless the claimant is the sole beneficiary of
the trust and one of the following:
1.	 The claimant or the claimant’s spouse was the grantor of the trust, and the trust is revocable or became
irrevocable solely by reason of the grantor’s death;
			
OR
2.	 The claimant is the parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling of the grantor; the claimant is mentally
disabled or severely physically disabled; and the grantor’s modified Adjusted Gross Income is included in
the household income calculation.
	
The term “sole beneficiary” is satisfied if the homeowner and the spouse/civil union partner are the only beneficiaries
of the trust. A property owned by an irrevocable trust cannot be a homestead except as stated in (1) above. The
trust document does not have to be attached to the Property Tax Credit Claim but must be available for review upon
Department request.

BUYING and SELLING PROPERTY

Buying after April 1, 2023 For property purchased as your principal residence, you need to file a 2024 Homestead Declaration. If
you are eligible to make a 2024 Property Tax Credit Claim and the property was declared as a homestead, use the
seller’s 2023/2024 property tax bill. If the property was not a homestead in 2023, ask the town for the housesite value
and the property taxes on the housesite as if it was a homestead in 2023.
Property Transactions after April 1, 2024 The property tax credit stays with the property. In the case of the sale or transfer of a
residence, any property tax credit amounts related to that residence shall be allocated to the seller at closing unless
the parties agree otherwise.

NEW CONSTRUCTION
	

New homestead construction that was built after April 1, 2023, and is owned and occupied as a principal residence
on April 1, 2024, must file Form HS-122 Homestead Declaration. Eligible homeowners may make a 2024 Property
Tax Credit Claim. The claim will be based on the value of the parcel as of April 1, 2023.

		
tax.vermont.gov	

2024 Form HS-122 Instructions

Page 8 of 10

VERMONT SCHOOL DISTRICT CODES
	
Homeowners: For Form IN-111, use the school district code where you owned a home and resided last Dec. 31. For Form HS-122, use the
school district code where you own a home and reside on April 1 this year.
	
Renters: Use the school district code where you rented last Dec. 31, or the last date rented in 2023. Check with your local school officials
if you are not sure which code to use. Enter the school district code on Form IN-111 (if you are required to file that form) and Form RCC-146.
	

Nonresidents: Enter 999 for the school district code on Form IN-111.

	 VT 	
	SCHOOL	
	CODE	
	 001 	
	 002 	
	 003 	
	 004 	
	 005 	
	 006 	
	255	
	 256	
	 007 	
	 008 	
	 009 	
	 010 	
	 011 	
	 012 	
	 013 	
	 014 	
	 015 	
	 016 	
	 017 	
	 018 	
	 019 	
	 020 	
	 021 	
	 022 	
	 023 	
	 024 	
	 025 	
	 026 	
	 027 	
	 028 	
	 029 	
	 030 	
	 031 	
	 032 	
	 033 	
	 252 	
	 034 	
	 035 	
	 036 	
	 037 	
	 038 	
	 039 	
	 040 	
	 041 	
	 042 	
	 043 	
	 044 	
	 045 	
	 046 	
	 047 	
	 048 	
	 049 	
	 050 	
	 051 	
	 052 	
	 053 	
	 054 	
	 055 	
	 056 	
	 057 	
	 058 	
	 059 	
	 060 	
	 061 	
	 062 	
	 063 	

SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME
ADDISON
ALBANY
ALBURGH
ANDOVER
ARLINGTON
ATHENS
AVERILL
AVERY’S GORE
BAKERSFIELD
BALTIMORE
BARNARD
BARNET
BARRE CITY
BARRE TOWN
BARTON
BELVIDERE
BENNINGTON
BENSON
BERKSHIRE
BERLIN
BETHEL
BLOOMFIELD
BOLTON
BRADFORD
BRAINTREE
BRANDON
BRATTLEBORO
BRIDGEWATER
BRIDPORT
BRIGHTON
BRISTOL
BROOKFIELD
BROOKLINE
BROWNINGTON
BRUNSWICK
BUEL’S GORE
BURKE
BURLINGTON
CABOT
CALAIS
CAMBRIDGE
CANAAN
CASTLETON
CAVENDISH
CHARLESTON
CHARLOTTE
CHELSEA
CHESTER
CHITTENDEN
CLARENDON
COLCHESTER
CONCORD
CORINTH
CORNWALL
COVENTRY
CRAFTSBURY
DANBY
DANVILLE
DERBY
DORSET
DOVER
DUMMERSTON
DUXBURY
EAST HAVEN
EAST MONTPELIER
EDEN

	 VT 	
	SCHOOL	
	CODE	
	 064 	
	 065 	
	 066 	
	 067 	
	 070 	
	 068 	
	 069 	
	 071 	
	 072 	
	257	
	 073 	
	 074 	
	 075 	
	 076 	
	258	
	 077 	
	 078 	
	 079 	
	 080 	
	 081 	
	 082 	
	 083 	
	 084 	
	 085 	
	 086 	
	 087 	
	 088 	
	 089 	
	 090 	
	 091 	
	 092 	
	 093 	
	 094 	
	 095 	
	 096 	
	 097 	
	 098 	
	 099 	
	 100 	
	 101 	
	 102 	
	 103 	
	 253 	
	 104 	
	 185 	
	 105 	
	 106 	
	 107 	
	 108 	
	259	
	 109 	
	 110 	
	 111 	
	 112 	
	 113 	
	 114 	
	 115 	
	 116 	
	 117 	
	 118 	
	 119 	
	 120 	
	 121 	
	 122 	
	 123 	
	 124 	

		
tax.vermont.gov	

SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME
ELMORE
ENOSBURG
CITY OF ESSEX JUNCTION
ESSEX TOWN
FAIR HAVEN
FAIRFAX
FAIRFIELD
FAIRLEE
FAYSTON
FERDINAND
FERRISBURGH
FLETCHER
FRANKLIN
GEORGIA
GLASTENBURY
GLOVER
GOSHEN
GRAFTON
GRANBY
GRAND ISLE
GRANVILLE
GREENSBORO
GROTON
GUILDHALL
GUILFORD
HALIFAX
HANCOCK
HARDWICK
HARTFORD
HARTLAND
HIGHGATE
HINESBURG
HOLLAND
HUBBARDTON
HUNTINGTON
HYDE PARK
IRA
IRASBURG
ISLE LA MOTTE
JAMAICA
JAY
JERICHO
JERICHO ID
JOHNSON
KILLINGTON
KIRBY
LANDGROVE
LEICESTER
LEMINGTON
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LONDONDERRY
LOWELL
LUDLOW
LUNENBURG
LYNDON
MAIDSTONE
MANCHESTER
MARLBORO
MARSHFIELD
MENDON
MIDDLEBURY
MIDDLESEX
MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS
MILTON
MONKTON

	 VT 	
	SCHOOL	
	CODE	
	 125 	
	126	
	 127 	
	 128 	
	 129 	
	 130 	
	 131 	
	 135 	
	 132 	
	 133 	
	 134 	
	 136 	
	 137 	
	 138 	
	 140 	
	 139 	
	 141 	
	 142 	
	 143 	
	 144 	
	 145 	
	 146 	
	 147 	
	 148 	
	 149 	
	 150 	
	 151 	
	 152 	
	 153 	
	 154 	
	 155 	
	 156 	
	 157 	
	 158 	
	 159 	
	 160 	
	 161 	
	 162 	
	 163 	
	 164 	
	 165 	
	 166 	
	 167 	
	 168 	
	 169 	
	 170 	
	 171 	
	 172 	
	 173 	
	 174 	
	 175 	
	 176 	
	 177 	
	 178 	
	 179 	
	 180 	
	 254 	
	 181 	
	 182 	
	 183 	
	 184 	
	 186 	
	 187 	
	260	
	 188 	
	 189 	

SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME
MONTGOMERY
MONTPELIER
MORETOWN
MORGAN
MORRISTOWN
MOUNT HOLLY
MOUNT TABOR
NEW HAVEN
NEWARK
NEWBURY
NEWFANE
NEWPORT CITY
NEWPORT TOWN
NORTH BENNINGTON ID
NORTH HERO
NORTHFIELD
NORTON
NORWICH
ORANGE
ORLEANS
ORWELL
PANTON
PAWLET
PEACHAM
PERU
PITTSFIELD
PITTSFORD
PLAINFIELD
PLYMOUTH
POMFRET
POULTNEY
POWNAL
PROCTOR
PUTNEY
RANDOLPH
READING
READSBORO
RICHFORD
RICHMOND
RIPTON
ROCHESTER
ROCKINGHAM
ROXBURY
ROYALTON
RUPERT
RUTLAND CITY
RUTLAND TOWN
RYEGATE
SAINT ALBANS CITY
SAINT ALBANS TOWN
SAINT GEORGE
SAINT JOHNSBURY
SALISBURY
SANDGATE
SEARSBURG
SHAFTSBURY
SHAFTSBURY ID
SHARON
SHEFFIELD
SHELBURNE
SHELDON
SHOREHAM
SHREWSBURY
SOMERSET
SOUTH BURLINGTON
SOUTH HERO

	 VT 	
	SCHOOL	
	CODE	
	 190 	
	 191 	
	192	
	193	
	194	
	 195 	
	 196 	
	 197 	
	 198 	
	 199 	
	 200 	
	 201 	
	 202 	
	 203 	
	 204 	
	 205 	
	 206 	
	 207 	
	 208 	
	 209 	
	 210 	
	 211 	
	 212 	
	 213 	
	 214 	
	 215 	
	 216 	
	 217 	
	 218 	
	 261	
	 219 	
	 262	
	 220 	
	 221 	
	 222 	
	 223 	
	 224 	
	 225 	
	 226 	
	 227 	
	 230 	
	 234 	
	 235 	
	 228 	
	 229 	
	 231 	
	 232 	
	 233 	
	 236 	
	 237 	
	 238 	
	 239 	
	 240 	
	 241 	
	 242 	
	 243 	
	 244 	
	 245 	
	 246 	
	 247 	
	 248 	
	 249 	
	 250 	
	 251 	

SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME
SPRINGFIELD
STAMFORD
STANNARD
STARKSBORO
STOCKBRIDGE
STOWE
STRAFFORD
STRATTON
SUDBURY
SUNDERLAND
SUTTON
SWANTON
THETFORD
TINMOUTH
TOPSHAM
TOWNSHEND
TROY
TUNBRIDGE
UNDERHILL ID
UNDERHILL TOWN
VERGENNES
VERNON
VERSHIRE
VICTORY
WAITSFIELD
WALDEN
WALLINGFORD
WALTHAM
WARDSBORO
WARNER’S GRANT
WARREN
WARREN’S GORE
WASHINGTON
WATERBURY
WATERFORD
WATERVILLE
WEATHERSFIELD
WELLS
WELLS RIVER
WEST FAIRLEE
WEST HAVEN
WEST RUTLAND
WEST WINDSOR
WESTFIELD
WESTFORD
WESTMINSTER
WESTMORE
WESTON
WEYBRIDGE
WHEELOCK
WHITING
WHITINGHAM
WILLIAMSTOWN
WILLISTON
WILMINGTON
WINDHAM
WINDSOR
WINHALL
WINOOSKI
WOLCOTT
WOODBURY
WOODFORD
WOODSTOCK
WORCESTER

2024 Form HS-122 Instructions

Page 9 of 10

Taxpayer Assistance
Visit Our Website for Forms Not Included in This Booklet
We have provided the forms in this booklet that most Vermonters need to file their taxes. All forms are available
at tax.vermont.gov. The following forms are not included in this booklet:
•	 IN-117	 Vermont Credit for Income Tax Paid to Other State or Canadian Province
•	 IN-119	 Vermont Tax Adjustments and Nonrefundable Credits
•	 IN-153	 Vermont Capital Gains Exclusion
•	 IN-151	 Application for Extension of Time to File Form IN-111. A Vermont extension is not
required to be filed if a federal extension was filed and you are not required to submit a
payment with your extension.

2023 Due Dates

Final Date Accepted

Form #

Initial
Due Date

Form Description

NOTE: Penalties, interest, and
late filing fees may accrue
after initial due date.

IN-111

2023 Vermont Income Tax Return

April 15

IN-151

Application for Extension of Time to File
Form IN-111 Vermont Income Tax Return

April 15

2023 Renter Credit Claim

April 15

Oct. 15

2024 Homestead Declaration

April 15

Oct. 15

2024 Property Tax Credit Claim

April 15

Oct. 15

RCC-146
HS-122
HS-122/HI-144

Taxpayer Advocate
The Vermont Department of Taxes offers free, confidential service when a taxpayer encounters difficulty resolving
tax issues. The Taxpayer Advocate may be able to help if:
•	 You are experiencing extreme economic hardship from the Department’s action, or
•	 It is taking more than 180 days to resolve your tax issue, or
•	 You have not received a response or resolution to the problem by the date promised by the Vermont
Department of Taxes.
The Taxpayer Advocate will review your situation, help you understand what needs to be done to resolve it, and
keep you updated on the progress of your situation. Please note that the Taxpayer Advocate cannot override the
provisions of the law or represent taxpayers at Department hearings.
To contact the Taxpayer Advocate:	

Mail:	 ATTN: Taxpayer Advocate

Telephone:	 (802) 828-6848		

Vermont Department of Taxes

Fax:	 	

(802) 828-6982		

133 State Street

Email:		

[email protected]	

Montpelier, VT 05633-1401

		
tax.vermont.gov	

2024 Form HS-122 Instructions

Page 10 of 10