TOLEDO, Ohio — More residents of Lucas County may now be eligible to apply for a property tax discount that provides them financial relief. This comes after the Ohio tax commissioner recently certified the income threshold to all county auditors.
Known as the homestead exemption, the discount can provide tax relief to residents who own their home and are at risk of getting taxed out of their residence.
Property owners now can get a reduced property value for taxable purposes of $28,000, an increase from the $26,200 previously allotted.
Lucas County auditor Katie Moline explained how the financial relief works for eligible property owners.
"For a house that costs $200,000 or is valued at $200,000, $28,000 of that is exempt, so only $172,000 would be considered taxable," said Moline.
People who qualify include:
- low-income seniors
- people with disabilities
- people who are rated or compensated at 100% disability by the Department of Veteran Affairs, or
- surviving spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty and have not remarried.
The income threshold requirement has also changed, allowing people who previously may have been over the limit to now be able to access the relief.
Moline said those interested in seeing if they're eligible for the homestead exemption program can apply by calling 419-213-4406 or emailing the Lucas County Auditor's office at outreach@co.lucas.oh.us and asking for an application.