PORT ORCHARD — Seniors 62 years or older who own and reside in their own home within South Kitsap School District boundaries may qualify for a senior tax exchange program in which they could receive a tax break on their local levy and bond school taxes in exchange for volunteering their time working within the district.

The program was created in response to concerns of local citizens who are living on fixed incomes and are experiencing rising property taxes, said Amy Miller, the district’s spokeswoman. She said the program also offers more opportunities to increase the contributions of senior citizens in public schools.

To qualify for the program, residents must meet all of the following criteria:

• must be 62 years of age or older;
• own and reside in their own home within the SKSD boundaries;
• receive Social Security or retirement income;
• have a gross household annual income of more than $40,000 and less than $65,000.

Residents who participate can provide their skills (valued at the current hourly Washington state minimum wage) to SKSD up to but not to exceed the resident’s annual local school tax bill. The annual total may not exceed $430 per household.

A minimum time donation is 20 hours served between January and June. To find out how you can donate your time in exchange for receiving tax benefits, contact Miller at 360-874-7005.