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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          Page 1
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 (800) 649-2424 (toll-free).

      Online Options for Filers at myVTax.vermont.gov

You can do more online through myVTax.  No log-on required!
•  File extensions for personal income tax
•  File Renter Rebate Claim (Form PR-141/HI-144)
•  Complete and submit Landlord Certificate (Form LC-142)
•  File the Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit (Form HS-122/HI-144)
•  View account status and balances
•  Set up third party access for your tax preparer
•  Respond to correspondence
•  Access “Where’s My Refund?” service to view information on your return and refund status
•  Check your estimated payments and carryforwards
•  Make payments via ACH Debit electronic payments for personal income tax
•  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 Vermont’s Free File vendors.  For eligibility guidelines, 
visit tax.vermont.gov/free-file.

                                                              2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
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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 
                                                                                                                                         Page 2
          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, 2021, if you meet all of the following eligibility requirements: 
1.        Own the Vermont property as your principal residence as of April 1, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021, 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, 2021?  If you filed a Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Credit Claim before 
          April 1, 2021, 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
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.
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, 2021. 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 2020 federal income tax return.  If you are not required 
          to file a federal income tax return, leave the box blank.

                                                                                           2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
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Line A1        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 A2        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 A3        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.              Page 3
Lines A4-A7   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 2020 calendar year.
                     3.  You own the property as your principal residence on April 1, 2021.
                     4.  You were not claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer for the 2020 tax year.
                     5.  You meet the household income criteria of $138,500 or less.
Due Date - April 15, 2021
               Claims for Property Tax Credits filed between April 15 and Oct. 15, 2021, will have a $15 late filing fee deducted 
               from the property tax credit.
                         2021 Property Tax Credits filed after Oct. 15, 2021, 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, 2021?  The right to file for a Property Tax Credit ends if the homeowner dies before 
               April 1, 2021.  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, 2021?  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  An error on the 2021 Form HS-122 may be corrected up to Oct. 15, 2021.  After that date, only household 
               income may be amended. 
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 2020/2021 property tax bill.
Line B4        Housesite Value:  Enter the assessed housesite value shown on the 2020/2021 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 2020/2021 property tax bill.
Line B6        Housesite Municipal Tax:  Enter the municipal property tax shown on the 2020/2021 property tax bill.

                                                                                           2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
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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%.  
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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     E-file Certificate Number from Form LC-142:  If you rent the lot of your dwelling, enter the E-file Certificate 
            Number located on the Form LC-142 that you receive from your landlord.  If the Form LC-142 you received does 
            not have an E-file Certificate Number, leave this line blank.
Line B10    Lot Rent:  If you rent a lot in a privately owned mobile home park, obtain Form LC-142, Landlord Certificate, from 
            your landlord and enter the amount of Allocable Rent. 
Lines B11 – B12  Allocated Tax from Land Trust, Cooperative, or Nonprofit Mobile Home Park:  Enter the amount of education 
            and municipal property tax shown on the statement issued to you by the land trust, cooperative, or nonprofit mobile 
            home park, and attach the documentation to your return.
Lines B13 – B14  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, 2026.
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 2021 Property Tax Credit is $8,000.
            The Property Tax Credit will appear as a state payment on your 2021/2022 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

                                                                                             2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
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                 •  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, 2020.
Members of the household for a portion of the year.  You must include the income received by all persons residing in the home or 
         apartment during the period they resided in the home or apartment.                                                         Page 5
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(4)(B)
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.    

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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.  
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  Page 6
         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 2020 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 pass-
         through 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.
Adjustments to Income:
         The following adjustments to household income may be made for each member of the household.
Line p   Social Security and Medicare Tax Withheld and Self-Employment Tax on Income Reported  Social Security 
         and Medicare 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.

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       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 
       Security and Medicare taxes paid for 2020 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 14.  You may be asked for a copy of your federal Schedule SE.                    Page 7
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
          r5.  Tuition and Fees as federally allowed
Line s Add Lines p, q, and the total of Lines r1 through r5 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, 2020, 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 or Renter Rebate Claim, 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 or Form PR-141.

                                 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, 2021, 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, 2021, 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 2021 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 Rebate 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 Rebate 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 Rebate Claim for rent paid in 2020 under the following 
       circumstances:   1)If you owned a Vermont homestead in 2020,      2)     sold the homestead before April 1, 2020, 
       3) withdrew or did not file a 2020 Property Tax Credit Claim and         4) rented between the date of the sale and 
       Dec. 31, 2020.  To qualify for a renter rebate, your household income must be $47,000 or less.  NOTE:   This is the 
       only situation where a renter rebate can be claimed for fewer than 12 months.

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OWNERSHIP SITUATIONS
Homeowner Age 62 or Older in 2020  If the homeowner shares ownership of the homestead with his or her 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.
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      Page 8
              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 his or 
              her 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 his or her principal residence.  The owner occupying the duplex as his or 
              her 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 he or she occupies 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, 2020  For property purchased as your principal residence, you need to file a 2021 Homestead Declaration.  If 
              you are eligible to make a 2021 Property Tax Credit Claim and the property was declared as a homestead, use the 
              seller’s 2020/2021 property tax bill.  If the property was not a homestead in 2020, ask the town for the housesite value 
              and the property taxes on the housesite as if it was a homestead in 2020.
Property Transactions after April 1, 2021  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, 2020, and is owned and occupied as a principal residence 
              on April 1, 2021, must file Form HS-122 Homestead Declaration.  Eligible homeowners may make a 2021 Property 
              Tax Credit Claim.  The claim will be based on the value of the parcel as of April 1, 2020.

                                                                                       2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
 www.tax.vermont.gov                                                                                               Page 8 of 10



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                                         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.  Check with your landlord or 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 PR-141. 
 Nonresidents:  Enter 999 for the school district code on Form IN-111.                                                                         Page 9
  VT                             VT                                         VT                             VT      
  SCHOOL  SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME   SCHOOL  SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME               SCHOOL  SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME   SCHOOL  SCHOOL DISTRICT NAME
 CODE                           CODE                                       CODE                           CODE 
  001   ADDISON                  064   ELMORE                               125   MONTGOMERY               190   SPRINGFIELD
  002   ALBANY                   065   ENOSBURG                             126   MONTPELIER               191   STAMFORD
  003   ALBURGH                  066   ESSEX JUNCTION                       127   MORETOWN                 192   STANNARD
  004   ANDOVER                  067   ESSEX TOWN                           128   MORGAN                   193   STARKSBORO
  005   ARLINGTON                070   FAIR HAVEN                           129   MORRISTOWN               194   STOCKBRIDGE
  006   ATHENS                   068   FAIRFAX                              130   MOUNT HOLLY              195   STOWE   
  255   AVERILL                  069   FAIRFIELD                            131   MOUNT TABOR              196   STRAFFORD
  256   AVERY’S GORE             071   FAIRLEE                              135   NEW HAVEN                197   STRATTON
  007   BAKERSFIELD              072   FAYSTON                              132   NEWARK                   198   SUDBURY
  008   BALTIMORE                257   FERDINAND                            133   NEWBURY                  199   SUNDERLAND
  009   BARNARD                  073   FERRISBURGH                          134   NEWFANE                  200   SUTTON  
  010   BARNET                   074   FLETCHER                             136   NEWPORT CITY             201   SWANTON
  011   BARRE CITY               075   FRANKLIN                             137   NEWPORT TOWN             202   THETFORD
  012   BARRE TOWN               076   GEORGIA                              138   NORTH BENNINGTON ID      203   TINMOUTH
  013   BARTON                   258   GLASTENBURY                          140   NORTH HERO               204   TOPSHAM
  014   BELVIDERE                077   GLOVER                               139   NORTHFIELD               205   TOWNSHEND
  015   BENNINGTON               078   GOSHEN                               141   NORTON                   206   TROY      
  016   BENSON                   079   GRAFTON                              142   NORWICH                  207   TUNBRIDGE
  017   BERKSHIRE                080   GRANBY                               143   ORANGE                   208   UNDERHILL ID
  018   BERLIN                   081   GRAND ISLE                           144   ORLEANS                  209   UNDERHILL TOWN
  019   BETHEL                   082   GRANVILLE                            145   ORWELL                   210   VERGENNES
  020   BLOOMFIELD               083   GREENSBORO                           146   PANTON                   211   VERNON 
  021   BOLTON                   084   GROTON                               147   PAWLET                   212   VERSHIRE
  022   BRADFORD                 085   GUILDHALL                            148   PEACHAM                  213   VICTORY 
  023   BRAINTREE                086   GUILFORD                             149   PERU                     214   WAITSFIELD
  024   BRANDON                  087   HALIFAX                              150   PITTSFIELD               215   WALDEN 
  025   BRATTLEBORO              088   HANCOCK                              151   PITTSFORD                216   WALLINGFORD
  026   BRIDGEWATER              089   HARDWICK                             152   PLAINFIELD               217   WALTHAM
  027   BRIDPORT                 090   HARTFORD                             153   PLYMOUTH                 218   WARDSBORO
  028   BRIGHTON                 091   HARTLAND                             154   POMFRET                  261   WARNER’S GRANT
  029   BRISTOL                  092   HIGHGATE                             155   POULTNEY                 219   WARREN 
  030   BROOKFIELD               093   HINESBURG                            156   POWNAL                   262   WARREN’S GORE
  031   BROOKLINE                094   HOLLAND                              157   PROCTOR                  220   WASHINGTON
  032   BROWNINGTON              095   HUBBARDTON                           158   PUTNEY                   221   WATERBURY
  033   BRUNSWICK                096   HUNTINGTON                           159   RANDOLPH                 222   WATERFORD
  252   BUEL’S GORE              097   HYDE PARK                            160   READING                  223   WATERVILLE
  034   BURKE                    098   IRA                                  161   READSBORO                224   WEATHERSFIELD
  035   BURLINGTON               099   IRASBURG                             162   RICHFORD                 225   WELLS    
  036   CABOT                    100   ISLE LA MOTTE                        163   RICHMOND                 226   WELLS RIVER
  037   CALAIS                   101   JAMAICA                              164   RIPTON                   227   WEST FAIRLEE
  038   CAMBRIDGE                102   JAY                                  165   ROCHESTER                230   WEST HAVEN 
  039   CANAAN                   103   JERICHO                              166   ROCKINGHAM               234   WEST RUTLAND
  040   CASTLETON                253   JERICHO ID                           167   ROXBURY                  235   WEST WINDSOR
  041   CAVENDISH                104   JOHNSON                              168   ROYALTON                 228   WESTFIELD
  042   CHARLESTON               185   KILLINGTON                           169   RUPERT                   229   WESTFORD
  043   CHARLOTTE                105   KIRBY                                170   RUTLAND CITY             231   WESTMINSTER
  044   CHELSEA                  106   LANDGROVE                            171   RUTLAND TOWN             232   WESTMORE
  045   CHESTER                  107   LEICESTER                            172   RYEGATE                  233   WESTON 
  046   CHITTENDEN               108   LEMINGTON                            173   SAINT ALBANS CITY        236   WEYBRIDGE
  047   CLARENDON                259   LEWIS                                174   SAINT ALBANS TOWN        237   WHEELOCK
  048   COLCHESTER               109   LINCOLN                              175   SAINT GEORGE             238   WHITING  
  049   CONCORD                  110   LONDONDERRY                          176   SAINT JOHNSBURY          239   WHITINGHAM
  050   CORINTH                  111   LOWELL                               177   SALISBURY                240   WILLIAMSTOWN
  051   CORNWALL                 112   LUDLOW                               178   SANDGATE                 241   WILLISTON
  052   COVENTRY                 113   LUNENBURG                            179   SEARSBURG                242   WILMINGTON
  053   CRAFTSBURY               114   LYNDON                               180   SHAFTSBURY               243   WINDHAM
  054   DANBY                    115   MAIDSTONE                            254   SHAFTSBURY ID            244   WINDSOR
  055   DANVILLE                 116   MANCHESTER                           181   SHARON                   245   WINHALL 
  056   DERBY                    117   MARLBORO                             182   SHEFFIELD                246   WINOOSKI
  057   DORSET                   118   MARSHFIELD                           183   SHELBURNE                247   WOLCOTT
  058   DOVER                    119   MENDON                               184   SHELDON                  248   WOODBURY
  059   DUMMERSTON               120   MIDDLEBURY                           186   SHOREHAM                 249   WOODFORD
  060   DUXBURY                  121   MIDDLESEX                            187   SHREWSBURY               250   WOODSTOCK
  061   EAST HAVEN               122   MIDDLETOWN SPRINGS                   260   SOMERSET                 251   WORCESTER
  062   EAST MONTPELIER          123   MILTON                               188   SOUTH BURLINGTON
  063   EDEN                     124   MONKTON                              189   SOUTH HERO    
                                                                                                    2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
      www.tax.vermont.gov                                                                                                   Page 9 of 10



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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:                                         Page 10
  •  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

2021 Due Dates
                                                                                  Final Date Accepted
                                                               Initial     NOTE:  Penalties, interest, and 
  Form #              Form Description
                                                           Due Date        late filing fees may accrue  
                                                                                  after initial due date.
  IN-111      2020 Vermont Income Tax Return               April 15
              Application for Extension of Time to File 
  IN-151                                                   April 15
              Form IN-111 Vermont Income Tax Return
PR-141/HI-144 2020 Renter Rebate Claim                     April 15                    Oct. 15
  HS-122      2021 Homestead Declaration                   April 15                    Oct. 15
HS-122/HI-144 2021 Property Tax Credit Claim               April 15                    Oct. 15

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:            802-828-5873                                    133 State Street
  Email:          tax.taxpayeradvocate@vermont.gov                Montpelier, VT  05633-1401

                                                                                  2021 Form HS-122 Instructions
  www.tax.vermont.gov                                                                         Page 10 of 10






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