If you’re 65 or older and own a home in Indiana, we know taxes and home repairs can feel overwhelming. At Stay Dry Roofing, we help homeowners understand how state property-tax credits and recent law changes can affect the cost and timing of a roof replacement. This guide breaks down the Over-65 credits, what SB 217 and recent legislation mean for your property tax, who qualifies, how to apply, and practical steps to keep your roof work from creating surprises on your tax bill.
What are the Over-65 credits?
Indiana has two related benefits that are especially important for seniors:
The Over-65 Circuit Breaker
A credit designed to limit how much a qualifying senior’s property tax liability can increase from one year to the next. Historically this credit is intended to prevent big year-over-year spikes in tax bills for qualifying seniors.
The Over-65 Credit (newer changes)
In recent legislative packages the state created additional homestead credits and benefits, including a general homestead tax credit (a percentage reduction capped at a dollar limit) and extra credits targeted to seniors. These new credits were part of broader property tax reforms passed in 2024–2025 and taking effect for bills payable in 2026.
Put simply: the Over-65 Circuit Breaker helps protect qualifying seniors from sudden increases, while recent laws created extra, generally available homestead credits and some supplemental senior benefits.
New rules you should know about (SB 217 and the 2025 reforms)
Two items changed the landscape for 2026:
- SB 217 (2026) proposes/limits year-over-year increases in property tax liability for homesteads to a fixed percentage (the bill text and digest indicate a 4% cap in its digest). If enacted and applied, this changes how annual increases are calculated for homesteads statewide. Always check the official bill text and county guidance for final effective dates and implementation details.
- SEA 1 / 2025 property tax reforms created a new 10% homestead tax credit (capped by dollar amount) and added other offsets designed to reduce bills starting with property taxes payable in 2026 and gave an additional, modest credit for taxpayers 65 and older in some provisions. These reforms were intended to offset the phase-out of certain homestead deductions and to deliver immediate relief to homeowners.
Because several reforms stacked on each other, 2026 is a transition year. Some protections are targeted specifically at seniors (the Over-65 Circuit Breaker and supplemental credits), while other relief applies to all homestead owners.
Who qualifies for the Over-65 Circuit Breaker?
Eligibility rules changed in recent years, the short version:
- You must be 65 or older by December 31 of the tax year.
- There are income limits: for the Over-65 Circuit Breaker the adjusted gross income thresholds are commonly cited as $60,000 for single filers and $70,000 for joint filers, though exact calculations and documentation are made via state forms. Always verify your county’s application instructions.
Counties administer and accept the forms; qualifying seniors must complete the application each year or follow the county’s re-certification process to ensure continuous receipt of benefits.
Roof projects and property tax
A new roof is an important investment, and seniors often ask whether replacing a roof will spike property taxes. Here’s the practical reality for Indiana homeowners:
- Assessments change for new construction and significant improvements. Assessors can update assessed value when there is new construction, additions, permitted repairs, or other changes reported on Form 11 (Notice of Assessment). A permitted roof replacement that increases the home’s market value could be reflected in future assessments.
- Reassessments and trending often drive changes more than a single project. County assessors use mass appraisal and trending to set assessed values; market conditions and statewide cost tables can cause assessed values to rise even if you didn’t make major upgrades.
- What we recommend as your roofer: before scheduling major work, call your county assessor or auditor and ask whether a roof replacement would be considered a reportable improvement in your county and whether it could affect your next assessment. If you’re claiming a tax credit or worried about qualifying for the Over-65 limits, get the county’s guidance in writing. We can coordinate inspections and provide documentation contractors sometimes supply to assessors and auditors. (We offer free on-site inspections and financing to make timing easier.)
Practical tips for seniors planning a roof repair or replacement
- Check your eligibility first. Confirm your Over-65 status, income limits, and application status with your county auditor.
- Document everything. Keep bids, permits, receipts, and photographs. If an assessor asks about improvements, clear records speed resolution.
- Talk timing. If you’re concerned that a big project could affect an assessment in the same year you need the Over-65 protection most, ask the auditor how the timing of improvements is treated in your county.
- Use available credits. Make sure you’ve applied for both the Over-65 Circuit Breaker and any new homestead credits that apply in 2026 counties have the state forms and can confirm next steps.
- Let your roofer help. We can provide the inspection reports, scope of work, and permit documentation that county officials may request.
How Stay Dry Roofing helps seniors in Indiana
We’ve worked with many older homeowners in the Indianapolis area. If you’re thinking about a roof job, we’ll:
- Perform a free inspection and give a clear, written estimate.
- Help you plan work so it’s safe, cost-effective, and aligned with your tax-credit timing concerns.
- Provide financing options to spread cost and avoid a single large upfront payment.
If you want, we’ll also supply the documentation you can present to your county assessor to explain the nature of the work and show whether it was a repair or a permitted capital improvement.
Bottom line
For Indiana homeowners age 65 and older, 2026 brings important protections the Over-65 Circuit Breaker and new homestead credits and new rules like SB 217 could change how year-to-year increases are limited for homesteads. These programs can reduce tax pain for seniors, but they’re paperwork and deadline sensitive. Start by confirming your eligibility with your county auditor, file the Over-65 forms if you haven’t, and call us for a free roof inspection so you can plan the work with your tax protections in mind.
If you want, we’ll check your county’s specific form and deadline and schedule a free inspection. Call our Indy office or book online we’ll walk you through documentation, timing, and whether a roof job might affect your assessment.