All adults eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine beginning April 7

All adults 16 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID vaccine. Orange County Health Department offers online registration at https://redcap.link/OCHDvax.

Individuals who can’t access the Internet or need assistance filling out the form can register by calling (919) 913-8088 seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Spanish and other languages are available. The call center is closed April 2-4 for the Easter weekend.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) extended through May 6

VITA is an Orange County Volunteer Connect 55+ (VC 55+) volunteer program that provides FREE Federal and NC state income tax preparation to eligible individuals with low-to-moderate income, regardless of age or county of residence. The IRS and NC Department of Revenue have extended the tax filing deadline to May 17.

As Covid-19 continues to surge across the state and nation, we have made significant changes in our program in order to protect the health and safety of our volunteers and clients.

As of April 1, we have closed our Virtual VITA service and will provide only our DIY program and Drop-Off Services through May 6. Unfortunately, we are not able to assist foreign students this year.

Drop-Off VITA

By appointment only through May 6
Thursdays at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill
Wednesdays at the Passmore Center in Hillsborough

D.I.Y. VITA

Powered by TaxSlayer, free software to prepare & e-file your own taxes
Get help from our certified volunteers by email through May 7

The Orange County VITA Service is part of the Department on Aging’s Volunteer Connect 55+ Program. Volunteers of any age are welcome. Over 70 volunteers participate in the VITA program each year.

Click here to learn more and schedule an appointment.

FEMA to provide relief for COVID-related funeral expenses

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

FEMA is working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways we can best provide this assistance, and to enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. FEMA will begin to implement COVID-19 funeral assistance in April. People who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation to submit for reimbursement.

FEMA will begin accepting applications on its website on Monday, April 12.

Tax Office has completed the 2021 Revaluation

Property Value Notices have been mailed and should be received by March 31, 2021, and reflect the value of your property as of Jan. 1, 2021. If you have not received your Revaluation Notice by the 31^st, contact our office for a duplicate copy.

A revaluation is required by NC statutes at least every eight years, and as many counties do, Orange County follows a four-year schedule. The last revaluation in Orange County was effective Jan. 1, 2017. The purpose is to redistribute the tax burden based on current market data and maintain equitable and uniform property values among property owners throughout the county. As time elapses between revaluations, properties may increase or decrease in market value at different rates.

If you believe that the Jan. 1, 2021, value of your property is not correct, you may file an appeal. An informal appeal form is included with your revaluation notice. Appeals may be mailed, put in the drop box at the front door to our office in Hillsborough, emailed or submitted online. To appeal online use our Online Appeals Tool at: https://appeals.spatialest.com/nc-orange.

Review property information at the Property Record Card Search: https://property.spatialest.com/nc/orange/#/.
Review sales in your area at the Orange Public Comper: https://nc-orange-citizen.comper.info/template.aspx.

Due to the pandemic, the Tax Office is restricting entrance to our office. Yet we are working and able to assist you via phone, email, mail, and chat online at https://www.orangecountync.gov/842/Chat.

We are able to make appointments for assistance in person as needed. Masks must be worn. Contact our office for an appointment. Call (919) 245-2100 option 2 or at reval@orangecountync.gov.

Donating to the Emergency Housing Assistance Fund

If you would like to support Orange County’s work to prevent evictions and homelessness, please visit the Community Giving website to donate to the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) fund. Upon making your donation, please indicate that the funds should go towards the “Emergency Housing Assistance Fund” operated by the Orange County Department of Housing and Community Development.

“Orange County’s partnership with trusted community organizations is invaluable to ensuring that residents can access programs and services such as the EHA program, the Housing Helpline and beyond.” Said OCHCD Director Emila Sutton. “We look forward to continuing our work with community partner agencies to provide Orange County’s residents with housing at a time when stable housing is so vital to the health and wellness of residents and families.”

www.orangecountync.gov