Homeowners and renters are missing out on millions of dollars in tax relief. Use the resources below to learn more.
Ohio
You may be eligible to receive money back
Ohio Program Overview
Property Tax-Aide features the Homestead Exemption for older Ohio residents.
The information on this page is updated as new information becomes available by the relevant tax agencies.
The Homestead Exemption
The exemption, a credit on property tax bills, allows qualifying homeowners to exempt the first $29,000 of the appraised value of their homes from all local property taxes. The reduction is applied to the value of the dwelling unit and up to one acre land.
Eligibility
Age or disability:
- You must be 65 years or older (or turn 65 during the year you apply), permanently and totally disabled, or the surviving spouse of a former Homestead recipient. Surviving spouses must have been at least 59 years old at the time of their spouse’s death.
Primary residence requirement:
- You must own and occupy the home as your principal residence as of January 1 of the year for which you are applying.
Income limit:
- Your total household income (you and your spouse) must be at or below the state’s income threshold for the tax year you are applying for. This limit for 2025 tax year is $41,000. Income used for this test is based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes Ohio Adjusted Gross Income plus business income added back.
Special cases:
- Homeowners who were already receiving the Homestead Exemption before 2014 may continue to receive it without meeting the current income limit.
- Disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability and certain surviving spouses may qualify for an enhanced exemption, typically with a higher exempted value and no income limit.
Application Deadline
- For real property and manufactured or mobile homes, file on or before December 31 of the year for which the exemption is sought.
- If you also qualified for the homestead exemption for last year but did not file a current application for that year (for real property) or for this year (for manufactured or mobile homes) on the same property, you may file a late application for the missed year by checking the late application box on the front of the application form.
- You may only file a late application for the same property for which you are filing a current application.
Required Documentation
- Applicants must provide proof of age and current residency by submitting a photocopy of a valid Ohio driver’s license or State of Ohio ID card. Disabled applicants have to show proof of disability, but not age.
- A copy of the applicant’s Ohio tax return 1040 or 1040A or for those applicants who have not filed the Ohio income tax return, DTE form 105H, used to estimate Ohio income. Applicants may be asked to supply source documents such as W-22, 1099s, etc. to verify income.
Resources & How to Apply
Apply:
Most Ohio counties have their own Homestead Exemption application, and some offer online filing. Contact your county auditor to obtain and submit the correct form.
Questions:
Visit the Directory of County Auditors to find contact information for your local auditor.
Take the Next Step
Take the first step toward property tax relief — use the resources below to find application links or contact your local tax authority for help.
Your state accepts digital and mailed applications
Property Tax-Aide has independently selected the property tax relief programs featured on this website that we think are the most relevant and beneficial to older adults. It is not an exhaustive list of all property tax relief programs available in each state. Please consult your local tax agency for a comprehensive listing of property tax relief programs in your area.