Rep. Brennan Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Relieve Ohioans of Rising Property Taxes

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) and Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) have recently introduced House Bill (HB) 143 to relieve Ohioans from rising property taxes. This legislation would create an advanced homestead exemption for certain long-term homeowners.

The Homestead Exemption, which takes the form of a property tax credit on property tax bills, allows for senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans that meet certain income requirements set by the state to reduce their property tax burden by shielding some of the market value of their home from taxation. This credit allows for a reduction that is equal to the taxes that would be charged up to $28K of the market value of their home and up to $56K for disabled veterans. It is adjusted to inflation each year.

HB 143 establishes a third enhanced homestead exemption of $56K for long term homeowners. 

“I have been very vocal about providing Ohioans with property relief during my two years in the Ohio General Assembly and my work continues. I am hopeful that this bipartisan legislation will pass and that it will only be the beginning of addressing the problem,” said Rep. Brennan. 

This legislation would: 

• Establishes an advanced homestead exemption for certain long-term homeowners who already qualify for the general Homestead Exemption;
• Recipients must have lived in their home for 20 or more consecutive years;
• Applies to surviving spouses; and
• Local governments are reimbursed by the state for the reduction in property tax revenue.

The legislation awaits assignment to the House Ways and Means Committee where it will receive several phases of public testimony. 

The legislators are also seeking to have the bill added to the biennial state operating budget in hopes of quicker passage and implementation.