Monroe County, Indiana

Indiana Property Tax Benefits Overview

Several deductions are available for property owners to apply for to reduce payable taxes. The following list identifies some of those deductions and filing deadlines. If you think you might qualify for any of the deductions, please contact the Auditor’s Office at (812) 349-2510 or auditor@co.monroe.in.us for further information.

Homestead Credit / Supplemental Homestead Credit 

IC 6-1.1-12-37 & IC6-1.1-12-37.5

Primary Residence benefits. Applicant is eligible as individual owner(s), contract buyer, individual is entitled to occupy as tenant-stockholder of a cooperative housing corporation, OR individual has a beneficial interest in trust or right to occupy rent free under the terms of trust

Deduction must be signed by December 31^st and filed by January 5^th to reflect on the next printed tax bills.

This is a one time filing unless the status of the property changes-such as it becomes a rental or is no longer utilized as a primary residence. The Auditor is to be notified within sixty (60) days of the change.

The Standard Deduction reduces the taxable value by the lesser of $48,000 OR 60% of assessed value. The Supplemental Deduction is an additional deduction (received automatically with the application of Homestead) that is a percentage taken off the net assessment once the standard deduction is factored.

Please note, beginning with taxes payable in 2025 corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and any similar entities will no longer qualify for homestead benefits.

Age 65 Deduction & Circuit Breaker Credit Deduction Application

IC 6-1.1-12-9 & IC 6-1.1-12-10.1 & IC 6-1.1-20.6-8.5

Applicant must be 65 or older before December 31^st in year applying and meets the below criteria to qualify for the Over 65 Deduction and Circuit Breaker Credit:

-Owned the property for at least 1 year and resides on property

-Deduction: Assessed value of the property does not exceed $240,000

-Circuit Breaker Credit: Assessed value of Applicant’s Indiana Real Property cannot exceed $240,000

-Either no longer files Federal Income Taxes OR if files single the adjusted gross income does not exceed $32,610 OR if files jointly the adjusted gross income cannot exceed $43,480, OR applicant and all other individuals sharing ownership as joint tenants or tenants in common combined adjusted gross income cannot exceed $43,480. **The income numbers listed are specifically for 2023 property taxes payable in 2024 and will vary year to year to coincide with the Social Security Administration’s cost of living adjustment percentage. **

-Application form must be signed by December 31^st and filed by January 5^th to reflect on the next printed tax bills. The application must be presented with a copy of the applicant’s and any other owner’s Federal Income Tax returns, OR otherwise indicated on form “no longer files” if owner(s) are no longer required to file. Taxable assessed value is reduced by $14,000 with deduction. The circuit breaker credit will prevent property tax liability on homestead property from increasing by more than 2% over the previous year’s tax liability.

Disabled Veterans Property Tax Deduction Application

IC 6-1.1-12-13 through 15

2 deductions are offered: Veteran with Service-Connected Disability (a.k.a Partially Disabled Veteran’s Deduction) reduces the taxable assessment by $24,960 OR/AND Totally Disabled Veteran (100% Disabled Veteran or Veteran at least 62 years old with disability of 10% or more) reduces the taxable assessment by $14,000

Applicant is an individual who served in the Military forces and received an honorable discharge. A surviving spouse may also claim the deduction(s) if the Veteran satisfied the eligibility at time of death.

Deduction form to be signed by December 31^st and filed by January 5^th to reflect on the next printed tax bills. The disability must be evidenced by a pension certificate, award of compensation or disability compensation check issued by the VA or a certificate of eligibility issued by the VA.

For a Totally Disabled Veteran’s Deduction, the assessed value of applicant’s Indiana property cannot exceed $200,000.

To obtain the pension certificate you may call the Indiana Veteran’s Center at (317) 232-3910 or (800) 400-4520.

For any questions or to obtain a certificate of eligibility, contact the Monroe County Veteran’s Affairs Office at (812) 349-2537.

Blind or Disabled Property Tax Deduction Application

IC 6-1.1-12-11 & 12

Applicant is owner or contract buyer residing and occupying the property where claiming and is Blind (as defined in IC 12-7-2-21(1) OR Disabled if they are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to last longer than 1 year or result in death.

Applicant’s taxable gross income does not exceed $17,000 in year prior

Deduction will reduce taxable assessment by $12,480

Deduction form signed by December 31^st and filed by January 5^th to reflect on the next printed tax bills. To be filed with the completed deduction form:

-For Blind: Proof of Blindness-the records of the Division of Family Resources or the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services or the written statement of a physician who is licensed by the State of Indiana and skilled in the diseases of the eye or a licensed optometrist

-For Disabled: Proof of Disability-Applicant’s disability statement or proof applicant is eligible to receive disability benefits under the Federal Social Security Act OR statement by a physician using the same standards as used by the Social Security Administration.

Solar Energy, Wind Power, Geo-Thermal & Hydroelectric Property Tax Deduction Application

IC 6-1.1-12-26 & IC 6-1.1-12-29 & IC 6-1.1-12-33 & IC 6-1.1-12-34

Property is not initially assessed with devices once installed (unless previously applied for). By applying for deduction, the Assessor then applies the assessment of system/devices. This will increase the assessment by the amount determined by the Assessor, and the deduction will reduce the taxable assessment by the increase.

Geothermal & Hydroelectric devices must have been installed after 12/31/1981 and be accompanied by proof of certification of qualification by the State Department of Environmental Management.

Additional Assessor questionnaire to be completed and installation receipts will be requested with application.

Tax Abatement

IC 6-1.1-12.1-5.  When an area has been designated for tax abatement purposes, an application for deduction is to be filed by the property owner when the structure is built and assessed and the owner has received a Form 11 from the assessor.  Subsequent property owners should re-file when purchasing if they wish to continue the deduction.

Tax Exempt Property

IC 6-1.1-10-16.  To be filed in the Assessor's Office.

Please note, the application forms available for the Over 65 benefits have not yet been updated by the State to show the new legislation for eligibility requirements passed in 2023, but remain as the most current forms available with the State of Indiana. 

All deduction application forms (and as applicable any additional documentation) can be submitted by mail, stopping by the office or sent by e-mail to auditor@co.monroe.in.us