Ohio Homestead Exemption Eligibility Requirements Change in 2014

rcrabtree on September 3, 2013

Since 2007, the Ohio homestead exemption has reduced property taxes for homeowners 65 or older, regardless of their income, and for permanently and totally disabled homeowners. The average savings per homeowner has been estimated to be about $400 per year, although the tax break varies based on local community tax rates.

But the state legislature changed the eligibility requirements through provisions in the budget bill passed at the end of June. In 2014 the Ohio homestead exemption will have an income limit of $30,000.

This means that Ohio seniors who owned and occupied their home as their primary residence as of January 1, 2013, and are 65, or turn 65 by December 31, 2013, should file a homestead exemption application for 2013 or the prior year (2012) with their county auditor.

Auditors in Franklin, Fairfield and Hocking counties have extended the application-filing deadline to December 31. The Licking County Auditor will accept application until mid-December. The auditors in Delaware, Fayette, Knox, Madison, Perry, Pickaway and Union counties are not deviating from the statutory filing deadlines for 2013 – after the first Monday in January and no later than the first Monday in June.

Individuals who were 65 in 2013 and would have qualified for the homestead exemption but did not file can still file a late application next year under the guidelines for tax year 2013 of the former statute. Clients should contact their county auditor to determine any changes in the application deadline for 2013.

The exemption, which takes the form of a credit on property tax bills, allows qualifying homeowners to exempt $25,000 of the market value of their homes from all local property taxes. For example, an eligible owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 will be billed as if the home were valued at $75,000. A homeowner and his/her spouse are entitled to claim a reduction on one property only.

Existing homestead recipients will continue to receive the credit without being subject to the income test and do not have to resubmit an application.

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4 Replies to “Ohio Homestead Exemption Eligibility Requirements Change in 2014”

  1. Evelyn P Dolan March 14, 2015 at 11:18 am

    HI – i would like to apply for the Homestead exemption on taxes for 2014. We moved here in Oct. and taxes are higher here so could use some help and we are Seniors. Evelyn

    1. Madonna Narog March 26, 2015 at 1:37 pm

      Hi Evelyn,

      Thanks so much for your comment! Please call our office at (614)396-4200 and make an appointment with one of our tax professionals we will be able to answer all of your questions.

  2. vianna dowell June 24, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    how do I aply for homestead act and how do I know I received it. I am 66 years old and just retired. my husband just retired too at 62.

    1. Whalen & Co June 30, 2015 at 10:58 am

      HI Vianna,

      Thank you for your question! Please call our office at (614)396-4200 and make an appointment with one of our tax professionals we will be able to answer all of your questions.

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