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1. Who is eligible for the Homestead Exemption?

To qualify for the Homestead Exemption you must:

1. Either be at least 65 years old during the year for which you first file, or be permanently and totally disabled (you may file your application the year in which you will become 65) for tax year 2017. 
   1. Because of a change in state law, beginning in calendar 2014, homestead exemption applicants will be subject to an income means test. The limit for tax year 2020 (payable 2021) is $33,600 (Ohio adjusted gross income - line 3 on tax return). For 2021 (payable 2022) the limit is $34,200. (Homestead recipients prior to 2014 are not subject to the income test).
2. Or be a Veteran declared 100% disabled due to service connected disability (no means test). Download the Veteran’s Homestead Application (PDF).
3. As of January 1 of the filing year, own and occupy your home (or manufactured home) in Williams County as your principle place of residence.

If there is more than one owner of a property, the one who first reaches age 65 should file the application.

2. What is the definition of "permanently and totally disabled"?

Section 4503.064 of the Revised Code defines "permanently and totally disabled" as "a person who has some impairment in body or mind that makes him unfit to work at any substantially remunerative employment where he is reasonably able to perform and which will, with reasonable probability, continue for an indefinite period of at least 12 months"

An appropriate certificate of disability form (PDF) must be completed and signed by a licensed physician or psychologist (or a copy of the Social Security Disability notice of award letter) and submitted with the Homestead Exemption application.

3. Are there other requirements for the Homestead Exemption?

Other requirements include:

1. The applicant's name must appear on the deed to the property. Only one (1) homestead application is allowed per property.
2. If the property is being purchased under a land contract, owned by a revocable or irrevocable trust, owned by a legal entity other than a person, or is owned under a life estate, a copy of the deed to the home and copies of any contracts, trust agreements or other documents must be provided to identify the applicant's ownership interest in the home, and/or applicant's eligibility.

4. When can I apply?

Applications for the homestead program may be filed beginning the first Monday in January until the first Monday in June each year. Since manufactured home-owners pay their taxes currently, they must file their Homestead Exemption application during the year prior to the year for which the reduction is requested to get the benefit on their tax bills.

5. Does the Homestead Exemption have an effect on the other real estate tax reductions?

The Homestead Exemption is an additional reduction in the real estate taxes beyond the other property tax deductions and rollbacks.

6. Can the surviving spouse of a deceased person qualify?

To qualify for the Homestead Exemption the surviving spouse must:

1. Be the surviving spouse of a deceased person who was permanently and totally disabled
2. Be the surviving spouse of a person 65 years of age or applied and qualified for the exemption in the year of their death
3. Be at least 59 years of age, but not yet 65 years old, on the date the spouse died (except for surviving spouse of disabled Veteran)

7. What happens if I provide false information?

By signing the Homestead Application, you authorize the Auditor to examine any records relating to your age. You also affirm, under penalty of perjury, that you did not acquire the home from another person (not your spouse, or a relative) for the purpose of qualifying for the Homestead Exemption. Ohio law provides that anyone who makes a false statement for purposes of obtaining a Homestead Exemption, or failing to report any changes in ownership or disability or other relevant information on a timely basis, is guilty of a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Individuals convicted of such a misdemeanor are ineligible to receive the Homestead Exemption for the three years following the conviction and must pay any improperly exempted tax, plus interest.

8. How much of a reduction will I get?

The amount of reduction that you may receive depends on the tax rate of your community. The program provides an exemption from real property taxes on the first 25,000 of an eligible taxpayers homestead. Call the Auditor's office at 419-636-5639 for an estimate of tax savings.

9. Will I still have taxes to pay?

Homestead Exemption offers a reduction in taxes but does not eliminate your total tax bill. Special assessments placed on your tax bill by outside entities must also be paid.