What we verified in “Property tax relief for older homeowners”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the Texas Comptroller, the law requires school districts to give an additional $60,000 exemption on the main home of people 65 or older or with a disability, and any taxing unit may adopt a local option exemption for them that cannot be less than $3,000.

   Sources 1 · Property Tax Exemptions, 'Age 65 or Older or Disabled Persons': 'requires school districts to provide an additional $60,000 residence homestead exemption'; 'This local option exemption cannot be less than $3,000' · Checked October 31, 2026

2. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption is annual, applies to a home occupied by a person 65 or older who pays the tax, and lowers the equalized assessed value by up to $8,000 in Cook County and its neighboring counties and up to $5,000 elsewhere; in Cook County you apply every year.

   Sources 2 · Property Tax Relief, Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption: 'This annual exemption is available for property that is occupied as a residence by a person 65 years of age or older'; 'The maximum amount of the reduction in equalized assessed value is $8,000 in Cook County'; Cook County annual application with the Assessor's Office · Checked October 31, 2026

3. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze is for owners 65 or older with household income under the legal limit; as long as you keep qualifying, your home's equalized assessed value does not increase; and you must file Form PTAX-340 every year.

   Sources 2 · Property Tax Relief, Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption: 'The property's equalized assessed value does not increase as long as qualification for the exemption continues'; 'Each year applicants must file a Form PTAX-340' · Checked October 31, 2026

4. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program lets people 65 or older who meet income requirements defer all or part of the tax on their main home; it works like a loan against the property's market value; a lien is filed on the property to secure repayment; and the state recovers the deferred amount with interest when the property is sold or transferred.

   Sources 2 · Property Tax Relief, Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program: 'similar to a loan against the property's market value'; 'A lien is filed on the property in order to ensure repayment of the deferral'; 'meet certain income and other qualifications' · Checked October 31, 2026

5. According to the Washington Department of Revenue, the exemption program for senior citizens and people with disabilities is for people 61 or older with combined disposable income at or below their county's threshold, and the qualifying owner receives a reduction in property taxes.

   Sources 3 · Property tax exemptions and deferrals: 'At least 61 years of age or older'; 'combined disposable income of Income Threshold 3 or less for your county'; 'The qualifying applicant receives a reduction in the amount of property taxes due' · Checked October 31, 2026

6. According to the Washington Department of Revenue, in the deferral for senior citizens and people with disabilities the owner must have enough equity in the home to secure the state's interest; the deferred amount accrues 5% simple interest until repaid; and it must be repaid when the home is sold, when the owner dies or when the home is no longer their primary residence.

   Sources 3 · Property tax exemptions and deferrals, Deferral for senior citizens and people with disabilities: 'enough equity to secure the interest of the State of Washington in the property'; 'The deferred amount accrues 5% simple interest until repayment is complete'; 'Deferrals must be repaid when the home is sold, the applicant passes away'; 'the home is no longer used as the primary residence' · Checked October 31, 2026

7. Under Maine law (36 MRSA §6251), the state property tax deferral is for people 65 or older, or unable to work because of a disability, on April 1 of the year they apply; under current law, income must be under $80,000 and liquid assets under $100,000, or $150,000 for all owners together if the property has several owners.

   Sources 4 · 36 MRSA §6251(1): '65 years of age or older or is unable to be employed by reason of disability'; 'income of less than $80,000'; 'less than $100,000'; 'less than $150,000' · Checked October 31, 2026

8. According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, the Senior Property Valuation Protection Option lets owners who qualify by age and income fix the valuation of their primary residence for a renewable three-year period; you apply with Form 82104 and the county assessor where the home is handles it.

   Sources 5 · Property Tax FAQs, Senior Property Valuation Protection Option: 'allows taxpayers who are qualified by age and income to have the valuation of their primary residence fixed'; 'for a renewable period of three years'; 'using ADOR Form 82104 - Senior Property Valuation Protection Option'; 'facilitated by the County Assessor' · Checked October 31, 2026

9. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, the Property Tax Credit (known as the circuit breaker) gives a credit to certain senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals for part of the real estate tax or rent they pay; the credit depends on what you paid and on total household income; and the maximum is $750 for renters and $1,100 for owners who lived in their home.

   Sources 6 · Property Tax Credit: 'gives credit to certain senior citizens and 100 percent disabled individuals'; 'The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income'; 'The credit is for a maximum of $750 for renters and $1,100 for owners who owned and occupied their home' · Checked October 31, 2026

10. According to the Pennsylvania government, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program gives rebates of up to $1,000 to owners and renters 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older and people with disabilities 18 or older, with household income of $48,110 or less; some get a supplemental rebate; and free help is available to fill out the application.

    Sources 7 · Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program: 'up to $1,000 in rebates'; '65 and older'; 'Widows and widowers 50 and older'; 'People with disabilities 18 and older'; '$48,110 or less'; 'Free help is available to assist you with your application' · Checked October 31, 2026