Ohio Department of Taxation New Expanded Homestead Exemption

Property Tax Relief for Senior Citizens and the Disabled (Updated as of Jan. 8, 2008):

Last year, Governor Ted Strickland signed into law a new, expanded homestead exemption that provides additional property tax relief to qualified senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans.

Previously, most senior citizens and disabled Ohioans were excluded from the Homestead Exemption because of income tests. The new exemption offers eligible homeowners, regardless of income, the opportunity to shield up to $25,000 of the market value of their homestead (a dwelling and up to one acre of land) from property taxation. For example, if a home is valued at $100,000, the property tax will generally be billed as if the home were valued at $75,000.

The catch? Seniors and disabled Ohioans who weren’t previously eligible must apply with their local county auditor in order to take advantage of the homestead exemption, which saves the typical homeowner about $400 per year. This year, county auditors will be accepting applications from Jan. 8 through June 2, 2008.

The new homestead exemption is available to all homeowners 65 and older and all totally and permanently disabled homeowners. For details, see the links below.

• Late sign up information; Seniors who missed the initial Oct. 1, 2007 deadline to sign up for the expanded homestead exemption can still claim relief on 2007 tax bills (payable in 2008) by signing up by June 2, 2008 and checking the “Late application for prior year” box. The form, DTE 105A, is available here or from your local county auditor.

• Frequently Asked Questions. Detailed answers to the most-asked questions about the New Homestead Exemption.

• County Auditors. A Directory of Auditors containing links to county auditor Web sites and contact information.

For additional information, contact your local county auditor.