The Cleveland Observer
In County lowers age threshold to 67; homeowners say relief is vital as property taxes continue rising.
Cuyahoga County is expanding a property-tax relief program for seniors, lowering its eligibility age from 70 to 67 and offering up to $10,000 in direct assistance to homeowners struggling with delinquent tax bills. The county says the change, announced this month, will help more older residents avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes as tax burdens grow across Northeast Ohio.
County officials said the expansion comes as more seniors on fixed incomes fall behind on payments. According to the official announcement from Cuyahoga County, the Treasurer’s Office is now accepting inquiries for the 2026 tax year, which covers 2025 tax bills.
A Program Responding to Rising Hardship
The Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) launched in 2024 with a goal of preventing foreclosures among older homeowners. It originally served only those age 70 and older. The county said it has already provided “nearly $1 million” to help 150 senior homeowners catch up on property taxes and create financial stability plans — figures confirmed by WKYC and Spectrum News 1.
Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said the program is meant to keep seniors in the homes “they have worked so hard for,” emphasizing that foreclosure avoidance strengthens neighborhoods across the region. Treasurer Brad Cromes said the expansion is aimed at making sure “more taxpayers get a fair chance to get back on track.”
Why Property Taxes Are Hitting Seniors Harder
Across Northeast Ohio, property values have increased dramatically — especially after the 2024–2025 countywide reappraisal. Seniors on fixed incomes have struggled with steep tax hikes, and many have been caught off guard by reassessments.
Signal Cleveland found that median residential tax bills rose sharply in some Cleveland neighborhoods in recent years, increasing pressure on older homeowners. Signal Cleveland also noted that before TAP launched, some seniors faced confusing or fragmented relief options, leaving many unsure where to turn for help.
A Brief Look at Concerns and Criticism
While TAP is broadly popular among housing advocates, some residents and policy watchers have questioned aspects of the program:
Age limit may leave out struggling residents under 67
Signal Cleveland reported last year, that some community groups worry that focusing the aid strictly on seniors ignores other vulnerable homeowners — such as low-income families facing delinquency and foreclosure due to the same rising tax burdens.
Source: Signal Cleveland
Questions about long-term funding
During budget discussions in 2024 and 2025, several council members raised concerns about sustainability if demand grows. According to Ideastream Public Media, some officials asked how the county will maintain support if property taxes continue climbing faster than the program’s funding pool.
County’s response
Treasurer Brad Cromes Cuyahoga County Treasurer said “We know homeowners face real challenges, and too often, they don’t know where to turn for help. That’s why we decided to expand the Taxpayer Assistance Program,” Cromes also said, “By broadening eligibility, we can give more taxpayers a fair chance to get back on track and stay rooted in their communities.”
How to Apply
The county is now accepting inquiries for the 2026 tax year (covering 2025 payments). Homeowners can:
Fill out an eligibility form on the Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office website
Or visit the Treasurer’s Office in-person
For questions, call 216-443-7400 (Option 1) or email TAP@cuyahogacounty.gov
This article was reviewed using The Cleveland Observer’s AI-assisted editorial workflow. All AI-generated recommendations were reviewed and approved by a human editor.
