COLUMN: Providing property tax relief and long-term reforms for Hoosiers

Legislation amended by House Republicans to provide property tax relief was recently signed into law by the governor and will lead to $1.3 billion in savings for Hoosier homeowners over the next three years. Senate Enrolled Act 1 includes a robust package of property tax relief for homeowners, farmers and taxpayers. Two-thirds of Hoosiers will see a lower property tax bill next year than they did this year with additional savings for years to come.

Property taxes are levied and collected at the local level to fund townships, cities, towns and county governments as well as schools, libraries and fire protections.

The goal of this legislation is to provide homeowners and farmers with much-needed relief from increasing local property taxes. Property tax relief measures include:

• A 10% property tax credit up to $300 on all homestead property tax bills beginning in 2026.
• Phases in a two-thirds property tax deduction for homesteads and a new one-third property tax deduction for other residential properties and farmland.
• Reduces assessed value for farmland, saving Hoosier farmers roughly $125 million over three years.
• Additional credit of $150 for fixed-income seniors.
• Exempts more Hoosier small businesses from paying business personal property tax.

Additionally, all taxpayers will get relief through these long-term reforms:

• Increases transparency and restores accountability in local government spending.
• Puts stronger controls in place to rein in the $54.3 billion in local government debt and decreases the total amount of income tax capacity that local governments can collect.
• Creates a new Property Tax Transparency Portal that allows taxpayers to compare their current tax bill with proposed tax rate changes.

This legislation is important for Hoosier taxpayers and will provide financial relief soon and in the future.

I believe in spreading the cost of local services among a large group of taxpayers, instead of relying on business owners, farmers and property owners to shouldering the cost of local services.

As representative of a more rural district, I will continue to advocate for additional relief to support the farmers that make up Indiana's largest industry.

Please reach out to my office with any questions at in.gov/h16 or by calling 317-232-9819. To follow my legislation and stay up to date on session, visit iga.in.gov. 

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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.