Where Do You Find the Application for the Ohio Homestead Exemption

Where Do You Find the Application for the Ohio Homestead Exemption?

If you think you qualify for the Ohio Homestead Exemption and are wondering where to find the application, the best place to start is your county auditor’s website.

Where to Find the Homestead Exemption Application in Montgomery County

If you own a home in Montgomery County, go to the Montgomery County Auditor’s website.

The Auditor’s website has a Homestead section under the tab "LINKS" where you can find the Homestead Exemption application. Montgomery County currently provides both an online application and a PDF version of the application.

This applies to homeowners throughout Montgomery County, including Dayton, Kettering, Centerville, Washington Township, Miamisburg, Huber Heights and other communities.

Where to Find the Homestead Exemption Application in Greene County

For Greene County homeowners, go to the Greene County website and look under:

• Government
• Auditor
• Real Estate Info & Taxes
• Real Estate Applications and Forms
• Homestead Exemption

From there, you can find the DTE 105A Homestead Exemption Application for Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons and Surviving Spouses.

This would include homeowners in Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Fairborn, Xenia, Sugarcreek Township and other Greene County communities.

If you live elsewhere in Ohio, the process is basically the same: start with your county auditor’s website and look for Homestead Exemption information or real estate forms.

Who Qualifies for the Ohio Homestead Exemption in 2026?

This is actually the part of the Homestead Exemption that I find creates the most confusion.

For the standard Homestead Exemption, you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence and meet the applicable eligibility requirements. For a current 2026 application, the income test looks at your 2025 Ohio modified adjusted gross income. The limit is $41,000 for the applicant and spouse combined.

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify if:

• You are age 65 or older, or will turn 65 by December 31 of the year for which you apply, and meet the applicable income requirement.
• You are permanently and totally disabled.
• You are the surviving spouse of someone who was receiving the Homestead Exemption when they died, and you were at least 59 years old at the time of their death.
• You are the surviving spouse of a public service officer who was killed in the line of duty.

There are additional rules and exceptions, so I recommend checking with your county auditor to determine whether your specific situation qualifies.

Why Is the Ohio Homestead Exemption So Confusing?

In my experience working with Dayton-area homeowners, qualification is easily the most misunderstood part of the Homestead Exemption.

Part of the problem is that the rules have changed over the years.

Ohio voters originally approved the Homestead Exemption in 1970 to provide property tax relief to lower-income senior citizens. In 2007, the program was expanded so homeowners who were 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled could qualify regardless of income.

That changed again beginning with the 2014 tax year, when new applicants became subject to an income means test. Homeowners who were already receiving the credit for tax year 2013 were grandfathered and generally aren't subject to that income test.

That history explains why I still hear conflicting information from homeowners. Someone may remember the rules from years ago and assume they are still the rules today.

Start With Your County Auditor

If you think you may qualify for the Ohio Homestead Exemption, don't rely on what you remember hearing about the program several years ago.

Go directly to your county auditor’s website, find the current Homestead Exemption application and review the current requirements.

For Dayton-area homeowners, that generally means starting with the Montgomery County Auditor or Greene County Auditor. If you live in another Ohio county, your county auditor should be your first stop as well.

The qualifications and income limits can change, so always verify the current requirements with your county auditor before applying.