Ohio’s Homestead Exemption

By Kristen Nawrocki

Ohio’s Homestead Exemption protects the first $25,000 of your home’s value from taxation. For example, if your home is worth $100,000, you will be taxed as if the home were worth $75,000.

Who is eligible? A homeowner who is:

• 65 years old (or who will turn 65 this year), or
• Permanently and totally disabled as of the 1st day of the year in which they file, or
• The surviving spouse of a person previously enrolled in Homestead and who was at least 59 years of age when the spouse died, and
• Has a total household income that does not exceed the amount set by law. The current maximum amount of total income allowed for the 2022 application period is $34,600.

What property is eligible for the exemption?

• The property must be where you usually live, and
• You must have been living there as of January 1st of the year you apply, and
• You must be on the deed, or if the property is held in a trust, you must give the Auditor a copy of the trust.

How do you apply?
Fill out application form DTE105A.You can get the form at your county Auditor’s office or at your county Auditor’s website. File form DTE105A with your county Auditor. You must file the original form that has your ink signature (not a copy). You cannot electronically file the form.

If your eligibility is based on AGE, you must submit PROOF OF AGE with your application.

If your eligibility is based on DISABILITY, you must submit PROOF OF DISABILITY with your application.

If you are approved for the Homestead Exemption, you do not have to re-apply in future years. On average, those who qualify for the exemption save $400 a year.

For more information, or if you need help or have questions, call your county Auditor’s Homestead Department:

• In Ashtabula County, call 440.576.3445
• In Cuyahoga County, call 216.443.7050
• In Geauga County, call 440.279.1604
• In Lake County, call 440.350.2536
• In Lorain County, call 440.329.5207

This article was published in Legal Aid's newsletter, "The Alert" Volume 38, Issue 1, in Spring 2022. See full issue at this link: “The Alert” – Volume 38, Issue 1 – Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (lasclev.org).