Exemption can lower property taxes for Wayne seniors

Wayne County Auditor Russell Robertson wants to be sure homeowners across the county know they may be eligible for the Homestead Exemption to help lower their property taxes. The Ohio Department of Taxation has raised the income threshold for eligibility and raised the exempted amount of market value for homeowners, effective for tax year 2025.

Those with an annual household income of $40,000 or less on their Ohio Adjusted Gross Income can now qualaify for Homestead for the 2025 property tax year that will be paid in 2026.

This exemption is available to senior citizens age 65 and over, totally and permanently disabled persons, and surviving spouses of previously qualified Homestead applicants.

The exemption offers eligible senior citizens or disabled persons the opportunity to exempt up to $28,000 of the market value of their home from property taxation and up to $56,000 for disabled veterans.

Additional information about Homestead guidelines and applications can be found online at www.waynecountyauditor.org or by calling the auditor’s office and requesting an application by mail.

Any Wayne County resident who has previously qualified for Homestead will not have to reapply to receive this change in benefit.

In-person applications and assistance are always available within the auditor’s office at 428 W. Liberty St. in Wooster. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Robertson encourages anyone with questions relating to Homestead to call the auditor's office at 330-287-5430.

MacKenzie Taylor is a CAUV specialist and information officer in the real estate department of the Wayne County Auditor's Office and can be reached at 330-287-5435 or mtaylor@wayne-ohio.com.