From WOOD COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE
Ohio homeowners who currently receive the Homestead Exemption will receive a one-time property tax credit as a result of House Bill 479, which was signed into law in June 2026.
The legislation allocates $350 million to provide a one-time reduction on property tax bills for qualifying Homestead Exemption recipients statewide. Approximately 710,000 Ohio homeowners are expected to benefit, including more than 7,000 Wood County homeowners. The credit is currently estimated to be approximately $450 to $500 per eligible home, with the final amount determined by the state of Ohio based on the number of eligible homestead recipients.
No additional application is required for homeowners who currently receive the Homestead Exemption. The credit will be applied automatically to qualified property tax bills due in 2027.
“Auditors have been advocating for expansion of the Homestead Exemption, and I am hopeful that this legislation is the first step toward meaningful property tax reform for this program,” said Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestreich. “I encourage anyone with questions about the Homestead Exemptions to reach out to my office for assistance.”
“The $3.4 million in additional savings in Wood County will provide meaningful relief to some of our residents who are most affected by rising property taxes,” Oestreich continued.
Ohio currently offers two types of Homestead Exemptions for qualifying homeowners.
Standard Homestead Exemption
- Exempts $29,000 of home’s market value from taxation
- Qualifications include:
- Senior citizens aged 65 and older or the surviving spouse of a previous recipient or permanently and totally disabled citizens
- Total household income does not exceed $41,000 for 2026 applications
- Applicant must own and occupy the home as principal residence as of Jan. 1, 2026.
Enhanced Homestead Exemption
- Exempts $58,000 of home’s market value from taxation
- Qualifications include:
- Disabled veterans approved by the VA as 100% service-connected disability or individually unemployable
- Surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty
- No age or income restrictions
- Applicant must own and occupy the home as principal residence as of Jan. 1, 2026
Residents who believe they may qualify for either exemption are encouraged to apply either online or through the mail. To use the expedited online application process, search for the parcel on the Wood County auditor’s “Real Estate Property Search” page, and select the appropriate form under the “Applications” section at the bottom of the page. Applications can also be mailed by request or downloaded from the Wood County auditor’s website at https://auditor.co.wood.oh.us/forms/. To request a form or receive additional information, call 419-354-9173 or email auditor@woodcountyohio.gov.
