Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen M. Scalise CPA, CFE announces that her staff will enroll homeowners for Homestead Exemption at several convenient locations throughout the county this fall. With the passage of the state biennial budget (House Bill 59), beginning with tax year 2014 new participants will be subject to a means test.
Currently, Homestead Exemption has no income restrictions. However, due to the passage of the State of Ohio’s recent House Bill 59, new applicants will be subject to a means test beginning January 1, 2014. Eligible applicants will be restricted to a total income of $30,500 or less per year, which includes the Ohio adjusted gross income of the owner and the owner's spouse. Changes associated with House Bill 59 will not affect homeowners who are currently enrolled in Homestead Exemption, or eligible applicants for 2013 who submit their application before Monday, June 2, 2014.
“It is important to realize that in order to be exempt from the means test, homeowners must actually receive a homestead exemption credit for tax year 2013,” Fiscal Officer Scalise said. “My office will host more than 15 outreach stations throughout Summit County with the intent to inform homeowners of the new provisions in the law and how changes may affect eligibility status. I would encourage all eligible homeowners to visit so we may assist you in securing the homestead exemption.”
Homestead Exemption is available to homeowners who are 65 years or older, or totally disabled under the age of 65. Under the exemption, property is taxed at $25,000 less than its appraised value. This amounts to a savings of approximately $400 to $600 per year, depending on your taxing district. To qualify, you must be the owner of the home or manufactured home and it must be your primary residence on January 1 for the tax year you apply. Applicants may apply for Homestead Exemption in the year they turn 65 as long as they own and occupy the house as of January 1 of the year they file.
The Summit County Fiscal Office will have staff on-hand at the following locations:
- Acme No. 1, 1835 W. Market St., Akron and Acme No. 2, 2420, Akron on Monday, October 14, 2013 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Acme No. 4, 116 W. Streetsboro Road, Hudson and Acme No. 17, 4445 Kent Road, Stow on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 8 a.m. to 1p.m.
- Acme No. 10, 2226 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls and Acme No. 11, 600 South Ave., Tallmadge on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Acme No. 6, 3200 Greenwich Road, Norton and Acme No. 14, 3235 Manchester Road, Akron on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Chapel Hill Mall, 2000 Brittain Road, Akron and Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market St., Fairlawn on Friday, October 18, 2013 and Saturday, October 19 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fairlawn-Bath Branch Library, 3103 Smith Road, Fairlawn on Monday, October 21, 2013 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (veteran identification card also available)
- Richfield Branch Library, 3761 S. Grant St., Richfield on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (veteran identification card also available)
- Lehner Community Center, 35 S. River Road, Munroe Falls on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (veteran identification card also available)
- Odom Blvd. Branch Library, 600 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (veteran identification card also available)
- Mogadore Branch Library, 144 S. Cleveland Road, Mogadore on Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (veteran identification card also available)
The Fiscal Office will also issue the new veteran identification card during appearances at the branch libraries and Lehner Community Center of Munroe Falls. This card serves as an alternative to the armed forces discharge record, referred to as Form DD 214. To get the card, veterans must present their DD 214 and two forms of identification. To review a full list of acceptable identification, visit Veteran Identification Cards.
Applicants for Homestead Exemption are required to provide proof of age and current residency by submitting photo identification, such as an Ohio driver’s license or state identification card. They should come prepared to present their identification when filing an application in-person. Please visit the Fiscal Office’s Homestead Exemption or call (330) 643-2661 for more information.