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HB 179

Create property tax reduction statewide screening system

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Stephens

HB 179 creates a statewide property tax reduction screening system to identify and inform Ohio property owners about available tax relief programs they may qualify for.

Referred to committee
#financeandappropriations #housingandrealproperty #taxation
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Bill Summary · HB 179

Legislative bill overview

HB 179 would establish a statewide system to screen Ohio property owners for eligibility to reduce their property tax burdens. The bill creates a standardized mechanism to identify and inform residents about available property tax reduction programs they may qualify for but haven't claimed.

Why is this important

Many property owners miss out on tax relief they're legally entitled to—such as homestead exemptions, senior citizen deferrals, or disability exemptions—simply because they don't know these programs exist or how to access them. A statewide screening system could help lower-income homeowners and elderly residents retain more of their income while improving administrative efficiency across county auditor offices.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Counties would need resources and infrastructure to operate screening systems; unclear who funds this and whether smaller counties can manage it effectively
  • Privacy concerns: Automatically screening property records and cross-referencing personal data raises questions about information security and voluntary participation versus mandatory enrollment
  • Program eligibility complexity: Different tax relief programs have varying requirements; a one-size-fits-all screening system may create confusion or incorrect eligibility determinations that disadvantage applicants

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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