HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

Now All Senior Citizens Qualify 

Ohio’s Senior citizens have spent their entire lives taking care of their families and lending a helping hand to their neighbors.  Now Ohio is offering seniors and the disabled a helping hand with the burden of property and manufactured home taxes. 

A new and expanded Homestead Exemption – proposed by Governor Ted Strickland in early 2007 and enacted by the Ohio General Assembly – will lower residential property tax bills for all seniors and qualifying disabled individuals by an average of $400 each year, regardless of income.  Eligible homeowners are able to shield $25,000 worth of the market value of their home from local property taxes.  For example, the owner of a $100,000 home who is eligible for the Homestead Exemption would be billed as if the home were worth $75,000. 

Qualifications: 

The new Homestead Exemption is open to any Ohio homeowner who currently lives in their home, and that home is their primary residence, and who: 

• Are at least 65 years old or will reach age 65 during the current tax year 

•  Is certified totally and permanently disabled as of January 1^st of the current tax year, regardless of age

• Is the surviving spouse of a qualified homeowner, and who as at least 59 years old on the date of their spouse’s death.

NOTE:  Homeowners who currently receive the Homestead Exemption will automatically qualify for the expanded exemption and do not have to reapply. 

Applications for Homestead Exemption are now being accepted at the Van Wert County Auditor's Office, Room 203 in the Court House.

Questions regarding the program or application may be answered by calling (419) 238-0843, ask for Deb.