Property taxes can take a big bite out of a fixed income, but many states offer valuable relief for older homeowners. From full exemptions to tax freezes and deferral programs, these benefits can help seniors hold onto more of their hard-earned money and stay comfortably in their homes. Here’s a state-by-state guide to the property tax relief programs available to seniors. Keep in mind that some counties and cities have additional programs.
Read more:
- See more hidden tax breaks for retirees.
- Check out the five expenses retirees must get rid of to retire happy.
- Here the states that don't tax retirement income.
Alabama
You are exempt from state-level property taxes if you are 65 or older and have a single-family home as your primary residence. You may still owe county-level property taxes.
Alaska
If you are 65 or older, the first $150,000 of assessed home value is exempt from property taxes. You must be an Alaska resident for at least one year before applying.
Arizona
If you are over 65 and have a single-family home as your primary residence, your property taxes are frozen and cannot be increased, depending on your income. You must apply by September 1st with your county assessor.
You can also defer your property taxes, which creates a lien on the property that is paid when the home is sold. Again, this program is dependent on your income.
If your income qualifies, you may be eligible for a property tax credit, which allows you to reduce your state income taxes equal to the amount you paid in property taxes.
Arkansas
If you are over 65 and have a single-family home as your primary residence, the value of your home for property tax assessment purposes is frozen and cannot be increased, although if property tax rates themselves increase, you would see a rise in your taxes.
California
If you are 55 or older, you can sell your home and transfer the assessed value to a replacement home. You can do this up to three times. Those who are 62 or older and have limited income can defer their property taxes. This creates a lien on the property, which is paid when the home is sold.
Colorado
If you are 65 or older and you've owned your home for at least 10 years as your primary residence, you can exempt 50% of the first $200,000 in value of your home.
Connecticut
If you are 65 or older, meet income requirements, and you've owned your home for at least six months, you can receive a credit of up to $1,250 for married couples and $1,000 for those who are single.
Delaware
If you are 65 or older and have lived in the state for at least 10 years, you can receive a credit of 50% of school property taxes up to $500.
District of Columbia
If you are 65 or older and you meet income requirements, you can have your property tax cut in half.
Florida
If you are 65 or older and meet income requirements, you may be eligible for an exemption of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of your home. This is in addition to the homestead exemption, for a total of $75,000 in exemptions.
Georgia
If you are 65 or older and meet income requirements, you can qualify for a $4,000 exemption from county property taxes.
Idaho
If you are 65 or older, you can receive a property tax reduction of between $250 and $1,500 on property taxes on your home and up to 1 acre of land.
Indiana
If you are 65 or older, you can receive a reduction in the assessed value of your home by $14,000 if the assessed property value is $250,000 or less. Also, if you meet income requirements, your property taxes can not increase more than 2 percent each year.
Iowa
If you are 65 or older, meet income requirements, and have maintained a primary residence in Iowa for at least six months, you can exempt $6,500 of the taxable value of your home.
Kansas
If you are at least 65 for the entire tax year, you can claim a credit for up to 75% of the property taxes on a principal residence.
There is also a bill in progress that would freeze property taxes for eligible seniors when they turn 65.
Kentucky
If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for an exemption of $49,100 of assessed value, with cost of living adjustments every two years. There is also a proposed tax freeze that would lock in the property value for seniors when they turn 65.
Louisiana
If you are 65 or older and meet income requirements, you are eligible to have the value of your primary residence frozen for property tax assessment purposes.
Maine
If you are 65 or older and meet income and asset limits, you may qualify for a property tax deferral, allowing you to postpone payments until the home is sold or passed on. You may also be eligible for a refundable property tax fairness credit based on the amount of property tax or rent you paid during the year.
There is a proposed bill that would eliminate property taxes for seniors who have lived in the state for at least 10 years.
Maryland
If you are 65 or older, live in Montgomery County, and meet income requirements, you may qualify for a property tax credit that limits the amount of property tax to a percentage of your income. Some counties also offer additional local credits or freezes for senior homeowners.
Massachusetts
If you are 65 or older and meet income and residency requirements, you can receive a refundable property tax credit of up to $2,730 for the 2024 tax year. Some localities also offer additional senior exemptions or tax deferral programs.
Michigan
If you are 65 or older and meet income requirements, you can defer your property taxes to be paid, plus interest, when the home is sold.
There is a bill in the works that would exempt seniors over 70 from paying property taxes.
Minnesota
If you are 65 or older and pay more than 3% of your income toward property taxes on your primary residence, you may qualify for a refund of the amount exceeding that threshold. You can also defer a portion of your property taxes through a state program that places a lien on your property.
A bill has been proposed that would create a homestead tax credit for seniors 65 and older.
Mississippi
If you are 65 or older, you are exempt from property taxes on the first $7,500 of the assessed value of your primary residence.
Missouri
If you are 65 or older and occupy your home, you may qualify for a property tax credit of up to $1,100 for homeowners and up to $750 for renters. Some counties also allow eligible seniors to freeze property taxes at current rates.
Montana
If you are 62 or older and meet income requirements, you may qualify for a property tax credit of up to $1,150, even if you owe no income tax. This credit applies to your primary residence only.
Nebraska
If you are 65 or older and meet income and home value limits, you may qualify for a property tax reduction on your primary residence through the state’s homestead exemption program.
New Jersey
If you are 65 or older and meet income requirements, you may qualify for the Stay NJ program, which reimburses 50% of your property tax bill, up to $6,500 for the 2024 tax year. The state also offers the Senior Freeze program, which refunds the difference when property taxes increase year to year.
New Mexico
If you are 65 or older and meet income requirements, you can receive a property tax credit of up to $250, or $125 if married filing separately. Eligible seniors can also have their home value frozen for property tax purposes.
New York
If you are 65 or older and meet income limits, your local government may exempt up to 50% of your home’s assessed value from property taxes. You may also qualify for the Enhanced STAR program, which reduces school property taxes for eligible seniors.
North Carolina
If you are 65 or older and meet income limits, you can exempt either $25,000 or 50% of the assessed value of your primary residence, whichever is greater.
North Dakota
If you are 65 or older and meet income limits, you may qualify for a property tax credit on your home or a renter’s refund. The amount of relief depends on your income and the property’s assessed value.
Ohio
If you are 65 or older and meet income limits, you can have the first $28,000 of your assessed property value exempted from taxes.
Oklahoma
If you are 65 or older, the fair cash value of your primary residence is frozen for property tax purposes, preventing future increases as long as you remain eligible.
A bill has been proposed that would freeze property taxes for seniors in the state. This would prevent property tax increases in addition to the frozen valuation of the residence.
Oregon
If you are 62 or older and meet income requirements, the state can pay your property taxes and place a lien on your home, which is repaid when the property is sold. You may also qualify for a partial exemption depending on your income.
A bill has been proposed that would exempt 5% of the property taxes for qualified seniors.
Pennsylvania
If you are 65 or older or a widow 50 or older, and meet income requirements, you may qualify for a property tax rebate between $380 and $1,000, depending on your income and whether you own or rent your home.
South Carolina
If you are 65 or older and have lived in South Carolina for at least one year, the first $50,000 of your home’s fair market value is exempt from property taxes.
South Dakota
If you are 65 or older and meet income limits, you can have the value of your home frozen for assessment purposes. For those 70 and older, you may defer your taxes which places a lein on your property that is paid when the house is sold.
Those 70 and older who meet income requirements may also qualify for an annual refund of all or part of their property taxes or sales taxes paid.
Tennessee
If you are 65 or older and meet income limits, you may qualify for reimbursement of part or all of your property taxes. This program is a credit rather than an exemption. You may also have the value of your home frozen for tax assessment purposes.
Texas
If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for an additional $60,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes, on top of the standard homestead exemption. Some local governments also provide additional exemptions or freezes for seniors. Your property taxes are also frozen and will not increase after age 65.
Utah
If you are 66 or older and meet income requirements, you may qualify for a property tax credit of up to $1,312 or for a deferral program that postpones payment until the home is sold.
Washington
If you are 61 or older and meet income limits, you may qualify for a full or partial property tax exemption.
West Virginia
If you are 65 or older and have lived in your home for at least two years, you may qualify for a valuation reduction of $20,000. If you meet income requirements, you may also receive a tax credit of up to $1,000.
Wisconsin
If you are 65 or older, you may qualify for a property tax deferral.
Wyoming
For tax years 2025 through 2027, if you are 65 or older and have lived in the state for at least 25 years, you may qualify for a property tax exemption of up to 50% of the assessed value of your primary residence.
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