What property tax credits are available to Indiana homeowners age 65 and older?

Starting with the 2025 assessment year, Indiana replaced the old Over-65 Deduction with two new credits: the Over-65 Credit (up to $150 off your tax bill) and the Over-65 Circuit Breaker Credit, which caps your annual property tax increase at 2% compared to the prior year. Both have income limits — the Circuit Breaker requires adjusted gross income under $30,000 (single) or $40,000 (joint). You must file by January 15 of the tax year to qualify.

When is the deadline to apply for senior property tax credits in Indiana?

The filing deadline for the Over-65 Credit and Over-65 Circuit Breaker Credit is January 15 of the tax year for which you are claiming the benefit. For example, to receive the credit on your 2026 tax bill, you must file by January 15, 2026. The Standard Homestead Deduction is applied automatically when you file your property's Homestead Deduction application with the county assessor — this is typically done once and remains in effect. Check with the Lake County or Porter County Auditor's office to verify your current status.

Can I still get senior tax benefits if I am buying a new home in Northwest Indiana?

Yes. When you purchase a new home, you need to file a new Homestead Deduction application with the county assessor for the new property. If you are 65 or older, you can also apply for the Over-65 Credit and Circuit Breaker for the new home. The Senior Citizen's Assessment Freeze in Lake County applies to your new residence as well, provided you meet the income and age requirements. Your real estate agent can remind you of these filings at closing — it is one of the most overlooked steps in a senior move.

How do Indiana senior property taxes compare to Illinois?

Indiana's senior property tax benefits are generally more generous and easier to access than Illinois programs. Indiana's effective property tax rates are lower overall, and the new Over-65 Credit and Circuit Breaker provide direct, tangible savings. Illinois offers a Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption and a Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze in Cook County, but rates and eligibility vary significantly by county. For seniors relocating from Illinois to communities like Munster, Crown Point, or Schererville, the combined savings from lower base rates and Indiana senior credits can be substantial.

Indiana Tax Benefits Every Senior Homeowner Should Know About in 2026

Q: Does Lake County have additional senior property tax programs beyond the state credits?

Yes. Lake County offers a Senior Citizen's Assessment Freeze for qualifying homeowners age 65 and older with a household income of $65,000 or less. This program freezes the assessed value of your home, preventing increases even as market values rise. Lake County also has a Senior Homestead Exemption that reduces assessed value by $8,000. Contact the Lake County Assessor's office or your township assessor for current application details.

Indiana overhauled its senior property tax benefits starting in 2025. If you or your parents are 65+ and own a home in Lake, Porter, or LaPorte county, these credits and deductions could save hundreds of dollars every year. Here is exactly what changed and how to claim it.

At the Golden Girls of Real Estate, we help our senior clients navigate these benefits as part of every transaction. A few minutes of paperwork can mean real, ongoing savings — and no senior should miss out because they did not know the programs existed.

What Replaced the Over-65 Deduction?

The old Over-65 Deduction was eliminated for the 2025 assessment year and replaced with two new, targeted credits:

Over-65 Credit: Up to $150 off your annual property tax bill. Available to homeowners age 65+ with adjusted gross income under $60,000 (single) or $70,000 (joint).
Over-65 Circuit Breaker Credit: Caps your annual property tax increase at 2% compared to the prior year. The most powerful protection for seniors on a fixed income. Requires adjusted gross income under $30,000 (single) or $40,000 (joint).

Both credits must be claimed by January 15 of the tax year for which you are seeking relief. Miss that deadline and you forfeit the credit for the entire year. Mark it on your calendar — it is one of the most consequential dates for senior homeowners in Indiana.

The Standard Homestead Deduction: Everyone Gets This

Every Indiana homeowner who occupies their primary residence qualifies for the Standard Homestead Deduction, which reduces your home's assessed value by $40,000 before taxes are calculated. The Supplemental Homestead Deduction covers 40% of the remaining assessed value. A new 10% homestead credit (up to $300) also applies automatically.

For a senior homeowner in Munster or Crown Point with a home assessed at $350,000, the combined homestead deductions alone reduce the taxable value significantly — before you even apply the senior-specific credits. The Homestead Deduction must be filed once with the county assessor, and it remains in effect as long as you occupy the home.

Lake County's Senior Citizen's Assessment Freeze

Lake County offers an additional program not available in all Indiana counties: the Senior Citizen's Assessment Freeze. This program freezes the assessed value of your home, preventing increases even as market values rise in desirable communities like Highland, Schererville, and Crown Point.

To qualify, you must be 65 or older with a household income of $65,000 or less. Lake County also offers a Senior Homestead Exemption that reduces assessed value by an additional $8,000. These county-specific benefits stack with the statewide credits — meaning Lake County seniors may see greater total relief than homeowners elsewhere in Indiana.

Porter County Seniors

Porter County seniors qualify for the same statewide Over-65 Credit and Circuit Breaker Credit. The Standard Homestead Deduction and Supplemental Deduction apply as well. The Porter County Auditor's office in Valparaiso can help verify your current exemption status.

A Quick-Reference Checklist for Senior Tax Savings

Confirm your Homestead Deduction is filed with the county assessor.
Apply for the Over-65 Credit by January 15 if income is under $60,000 (single) or $70,000 (joint).
Apply for the Circuit Breaker Credit by January 15 if income is under $30,000 (single) or $40,000 (joint).
Lake County: Apply for the Assessment Freeze and Senior Homestead Exemption.
Verify status annually — exemptions can lapse if not renewed.

How These Benefits Change When You Move

If you are downsizing or relocating within Northwest Indiana, you must file a new Homestead Deduction for your new property. The senior credits transfer with you — but only if you reapply by the January 15 deadline. Moving from Lake County to Porter County? County-specific programs like the Assessment Freeze do not automatically transfer.

"I have personally bought and sold six properties — and the tax benefits available to seniors in Indiana are some of the most generous in the Midwest. The problem is that most people do not know they exist until someone tells them."

— Liz Rytel-Mudroncik, Golden Girls of Real Estate

Related Resources

Helping Your Parents Downsize — a guide for families navigating senior transitions.
Reverse Mortgages in Indiana — understanding how home equity fits into your financial plan.
Senior Moving Checklist — a 30-day guide for a stress-free move.

Understanding your tax benefits can save your family real money every year. If you are buying, selling, or just want to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to, reach out to the Golden Girls of Real Estate — we are happy to connect you with the right resources.