The bill introduced in the 136th General Assembly seeks to amend various sections of the Revised Code to implement a property tax freeze for certain owner-occupied homes, particularly benefiting homeowners aged 65 and older, those who are permanently disabled, and surviving spouses of eligible individuals. A new section, 4503.0612, is added to establish criteria for tax reductions based on income and property value thresholds, ensuring that property taxes do not exceed the previous year's amount. The bill also clarifies existing language regarding income thresholds and the documentation required to prove eligibility for these tax reductions, while specifying that the reductions do not apply to special assessments.

In addition to the new provisions, the bill modifies existing laws related to the taxation of manufactured and mobile homes, including the responsibilities of county auditors and treasurers in assessing and collecting taxes. It introduces a system for late applications for tax reductions and mandates that county auditors provide ongoing applications to individuals receiving tax reductions. The bill also outlines the process for counties to adopt resolutions for partial real property tax exemptions and establishes penalties for false statements made to obtain tax reductions. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the tax reduction process, enhance compliance, and ensure accountability among applicants while providing significant tax relief to eligible homeowners.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 323.152, 323.153, 323.158, 4503.06, 4503.066, 4503.067, 4503.068, 4503.069, 4503.0610