Property Tax Relief for Seniors in Arkansas

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: May 4, 2026

Bottom line: Arkansas does not give most older homeowners a full property tax exemption just for turning 65. The main statewide help is the homestead tax credit, the age 65 or disability assessed-value freeze, and Amendment 79 assessment caps. For 2026 tax bills, the homestead credit is up to $600. Arkansas lawmakers also approved HB1103 fiscal note language raising the credit to up to $675 for assessment years beginning January 1, 2026, which affects 2027 bills. Ask your county assessor what amount is active on your parcel before you count on a bill change.

If you need more Arkansas help, start with our Arkansas senior benefits guide. You can also compare this page with property tax relief by state, review our tax guide for seniors, or use our senior help tools for next steps.

This issue affects many families. Census QuickFacts shows that 18.2% of Arkansas residents are age 65 or older. If you live on a fixed income, the fastest savings usually come from making sure the right homestead status is already on your county account.

Where to start

If the tax bill puts the home at risk

• If you are already behind: Call your county collector now. Ask whether the taxes are still at the county level or have moved to the State Lands office. If the parcel is state-certified, use the parcel search or call 1-501-324-9422 right away.
• If the credit or freeze is missing: Contact your county assessor today. Ask whether your homestead credit and over-65 or disability freeze are active.
• If you got a value notice: Start with the assessor immediately. Arkansas lists the third Monday in August as the usual deadline to appeal to the county board of equalization.
• If a caregiver is helping: Ask the office what proof the caregiver needs to speak for the owner. Some counties may need a signed permission form, power of attorney, or court paper.

Contents

• Where to start
• Tax bill risk
• Fastest ways
• Relief basics
• Who can get relief?
• Main relief programs
• County examples
• Apply the smart way
• Reality checks
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Best options by need
• If your application gets denied
• If taxes stay high
• Local resources
• Phone scripts you can use
• Diverse communities
• Other options
• Resumen en español
• FAQ
• About this guide

Fastest ways to lower the bill

• Check the current bill first: Look for a homestead credit line. Then compare this year’s assessed value with last year’s assessed value.
• Ask one direct question: “Is my over-65 or disability freeze active on this parcel?” Use the county officials list or the county services finder.
• Do not wait for a rebate check: As of May 6, 2026, current Arkansas official sources do not show a broad statewide senior circuit-breaker, rebate, or general deferral program.
• Watch the fine print: In counties such as Pulaski, the homestead credit applies to ad valorem real estate taxes. It does not cover every charge that may appear on a bill.
• If cash is tight: Arkansas guidance says partial payments are generally accepted up to the deadline, but your county collector controls the details.

What Arkansas relief really looks like

Start here: Ask the county assessor whether your home already has the homestead credit. If you are 65 or older or disabled, also ask whether the freeze is active. In Arkansas, relief is usually not a grant program. It is a status on your property record.

Arkansas uses its own tax math. Counties generally tax 20% of a home’s market value as assessed value. Local millage rates then decide the tax. Example: A $200,000 home has a $40,000 assessed value. At 50 mills, the ad valorem tax would be about $2,000 before credits. That is why an assessed-value freeze can matter even though it is not a full exemption.

Quick facts that save time

• Best immediate takeaway: For bills paid in 2026, look for up to a $600 homestead credit.
• For 2027 bills: HB1103 raises the credit to up to $675 for assessment years beginning January 1, 2026. County systems may need time to update.
• One major rule: The over-65 rule usually freezes assessed value, not the full tax bill.
• One useful fact: Arkansas taxes are paid one year after assessment. A 2025 assessment is generally the tax bill paid in 2026.
• Best next step: Call the assessor before you visit. Ask what proof they want for the homestead credit or freeze.

Who can get Arkansas property tax relief?

For the homestead credit: Your home must be your principal residence. Arkansas says a qualifying owner can be the record owner, a buyer under a recorded sales contract, or a person with a recorded life estate. The state also says some homes in revocable or irrevocable trusts can qualify. Some nursing home or retirement-center residents may keep the credit if they still own the home and meet the state rules.

For the age 65 or disability freeze: You must first qualify for the homestead credit. Then you must be age 65 or older or meet Arkansas’s disability standard. The main statewide programs are not broadly income-based. That helps some retirees, but it also means low-income seniors often need to combine the credit, the freeze, and a valuation review.

For more state tax issues, see our Arkansas tax guide. Property tax relief is only one part of the tax picture for many older homeowners.

The main Arkansas relief programs and paths

Homestead property tax credit

• What it is: A statewide credit that cuts the tax on your main home. Act 330 fiscal note shows the increase from $500 to $600 for assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. That means 2026 bills should show up to $600 if the parcel qualifies.
• 2027 update: HB1103 raises the credit from $600 to $675 for assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Because Arkansas bills are paid the next year, that higher amount is tied to 2027 bills.
• Who can get it: A homeowner using the dwelling as a principal residence. Some trust and life-estate situations can qualify. Arkansas allows only one homestead credit each year.
• How it helps: It reduces ad valorem real estate tax. It does not erase personal property tax, and some local charges may still remain.
• How to apply: File with your county assessor. The Arkansas homestead credit deadline is generally October 15 of the year after the assessment.
• What to gather: Photo ID, deed or recorded contract, parcel number or tax bill, proof you live there, and trust or life-estate papers if they apply.

Age 65 or Disabled Homeowner assessed-value freeze

• What it is: Arkansas can freeze the taxable assessed value of an eligible homestead once the owner qualifies and applies.
• Who can get it: Homeowners who qualify for the homestead credit and are age 65 or older or disabled under the state rule.
• How it helps: It can stop a reappraisal from pushing the taxable assessed value higher. Important: the total bill can still rise if local millage rates change.
• How to apply: Apply through the county assessor. If you buy a new homestead after age 65, the new home can be frozen at the next assessment date after purchase.
• What to gather: ID showing age, disability proof if needed, deed or trust papers, and your current bill or parcel number.

Amendment 79 caps after reappraisal

• What it is: Arkansas limits assessment growth after county-wide reappraisal to 5% a year for homestead property and 10% for most other real property.
• Who can get it: The homestead cap applies to qualifying homesteads. Other real property may get the 10% cap instead.
• How it helps: Even if you do not yet have the over-65 freeze, the cap can slow large jumps in assessed value.
• How to apply: Usually no separate form is needed. If a cap seems to disappear after a sale, deed change, or change in use, ask the assessor to review the property record.
• What to gather: The notice of value change, prior tax bills, and anything showing the property is still your homestead.

Disabled veteran exemption for qualifying veteran seniors

• What it is: A qualifying disabled veteran may be exempt from property tax on the homestead and personal property under the ADVA tax guide.
• Who can get it: Qualifying veterans include those awarded special monthly compensation for loss of, or loss of use of, one or more limbs, total blindness in one or both eyes, or a service-connected 100% total and permanent disability. Some surviving spouses and minor dependent children can also qualify.
• 2025 and 2026 updates: Act 407 expanded the qualifying homestead acreage for this veteran exemption to up to 160 contiguous acres if the land is not used for a commercial purpose. Act 880 lets certain trust or limited liability company ownership qualify beginning with assessment years on or after January 1, 2026.
• How it helps: This can be much stronger than the regular homestead credit for people who meet the veteran rules.
• How to apply: Start with your county collector or assessor and the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• What to gather: Your VA award papers, photo ID, and property ownership papers.

What Arkansas does not currently offer statewide

• What it is: Some states offer income-based circuit-breakers, rebate checks, or deferrals. As of May 6, 2026, current Arkansas official sources do not show a broad statewide senior version.
• Who can get it: No broad statewide program is verified for Arkansas seniors right now.
• How it helps: In practice, most Arkansas seniors must rely on the homestead credit, the freeze, correct valuation, and local payment handling.
• How to apply: There is no statewide form. A 2025 proposal, HB1438, would have created a refundable income tax credit for taxpayers 65 and older equal to homestead property taxes paid. It died in House committee at sine die adjournment.
• What to gather: Your current bill, parcel number, and any value-change notice so county staff can help with the relief that does exist.

County examples show why local offices matter

State law creates the main relief. Your actual bill still depends on local millage, local special assessments, and how your county handles forms, branches, email, and corrections.

Apply the smart way

Best time-saver: Pull your latest bill, your prior bill, and any value-change notice before you call. For example, a 2025 assessment is generally the tax bill you pay in 2026. The homestead-credit deadline for that assessment year is generally October 15, 2026.

1. Call the assessor before you go. Ask whether your parcel already shows homestead and over-65 or disability status.
2. Ask what proof is missing. The most common delays are ownership papers, trust papers, proof of age, or proof of disability.
3. File the homestead credit and freeze together if you qualify. That avoids two trips.
4. If the value looks wrong, ask for the property record card. Errors in square footage, condition, or use can be fixed faster when you have the record in front of you.
5. If you are behind on payment, call the collector the same day. Ask whether partial payments are accepted and whether the parcel is still local or has moved to the Commissioner of State Lands.

Application checklist

• Photo ID
• Current tax bill or parcel number
• Deed, recorded sales contract, or recorded life-estate document
• Trust papers, if the home is in a trust
• Proof the home is your principal residence
• Proof of age or qualifying disability, if applying for the freeze
• Prior tax bill or value notice, if the amount suddenly jumped
• Any paperwork your parent or loved one needs if you are helping as a caregiver

Reality checks

• Freeze does not mean tax immunity: Arkansas says taxes may still rise or fall with local millage changes.
• Buying a new home resets things: The old owner’s freeze does not transfer to you. Your new home is handled under the rules for your own purchase date.
• Home improvements can raise value: New construction, newly discovered property, and substantial improvements can still increase the assessment. Arkansas now defines substantial improvements as improvements that increase assessed value by at least 25%. Necessary disaster repairs may be treated differently if they do not use higher-quality or higher-value materials.
• Official pages update at different speeds: Some county pages may still show older credit amounts. Call before you assume the bill is wrong.
• Payment rules are local: The state gives broad rules, but the county collector handles how payments are accepted.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the over-65 freeze is automatic: Eligible homeowners must apply with the county assessor.
• Claiming two homesteads: Arkansas allows only one homestead credit each year.
• Deeding the house away: If you gave away ownership and did not keep a recorded life estate or other qualifying interest, you may lose homestead eligibility.
• Ignoring a value notice: The appeal deadline is usually in August, not when the tax bill is already due.
• Confusing real estate and personal property: Cars, boats, trailers, and other personal property are handled separately from your home.

Best options by need

• I just turned 65: Ask the assessor to add the freeze now, not after the next big bill arrives.
• I am low-income and the bill is too high: Make sure the credit is on the account. Check the value. Ask the collector about partial payments before October 15.
• I bought a home after retirement: Make sure the new parcel, not the old one, has the right homestead status.
• I am a veteran with a severe service-connected disability: Review the state veteran rules because your relief may be much stronger than the regular senior path.
• I am helping a parent: Ask the county what paperwork allows you to discuss the parcel. Do this before the deadline week.

If your application gets denied

• Ask for the exact reason in plain language. Was it ownership, residency, missed deadline, missing proof, or a value dispute?
• Ask for the property record card and current homestead status. That tells you what the county system actually shows.
• If the fight is about value, use the appeal path. Arkansas guidance says start with the county board of equalization. If needed, review the county-court appeal process.
• If the taxes are already delinquent, do not wait for the appeal to solve everything. Talk to the collector and, if needed, read the State Lands FAQ about redemption deadlines.

If the main fix does not solve it

• Try a value review: Sometimes the real problem is not the missing credit. It is a bad assessment.
• Read the bill line by line: A local improvement district charge may stay even when the homestead credit is active.
• Use paid help when needed: A short meeting with an elder-law, title, or tax professional may be worth it if the issue involves a trust, probate, deed, or life estate.
• Look at the full housing budget: If the tax bill is only one part of a bigger problem, our guides to housing and rent help and utility bill help may help you find other places to cut costs.
• Check income limits carefully: Some other programs use the federal poverty level, even though Arkansas’s main property tax relief is not broadly income-based.

Local resources

• County assessor and collector contacts: Use the official county lists near the top of this guide or search your county website.
• State property tax help: The AACD contact page lists state contact options for property tax questions.
• Payment and tax tools: The Property Tax Center can help you find county payment tools and reminders.
• Delinquent real estate help: The Commissioner of State Lands can be reached at 1-501-324-9422.
• Veteran help: Use the VSO map to find a local veterans service officer.
• Senior help: Your local Area Agency on Aging may help you find nearby offices, transportation, or benefits screening. See our Arkansas aging agencies guide.

Phone scripts you can use

Call the county assessor

Hello, my name is [name]. I own and live at [address]. Can you check whether my parcel has the homestead credit? I am also [65 or older / disabled]. Is the freeze active? If not, what proof should I bring?

Call the county collector

Hello, my name is [name]. I am calling about property taxes for [address or parcel number]. I may not be able to pay the full bill at once. Do you accept partial payments before October 15? Are there any fees or deadlines I should know about?

Call if taxes are delinquent

Hello, I am behind on real estate taxes for [address or parcel number]. Is the property still with the county, or has it been certified to the Commissioner of State Lands? What is the exact amount needed to keep the property from moving closer to sale?

Call for veteran exemption help

Hello, I am a disabled veteran or surviving spouse. I want to ask about the Arkansas disabled veteran property tax exemption. What VA letter and property papers do you need, and do I need to file this every year?

Diverse communities

• Seniors with disabilities: Arkansas uses a technical disability rule for the freeze. Ask the assessor which proof they accept before you go.
• Veteran seniors: If you have a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability or another qualifying VA award, do not stop at the regular senior freeze. Ask about the disabled veteran exemption.
• Rural seniors: If travel is hard, call first. Some counties have more than one office or remote contact option.
• Caregivers: Bring the owner’s bill, parcel number, ID, and written permission if the county asks for it.
• Spanish-speaking households: Ask whether the county has Spanish-speaking staff or can use interpretation help. Bring a trusted person if you need help understanding the bill.

Other options

• Get a local value opinion: A paid appraiser or good sales-comparison packet can strengthen an appeal.
• Ask about local payment tools: Many counties let taxpayers pay online, by mail, or in person. Ask about fees before using a card.
• Review senior housing choices: If the home is no longer affordable even after property tax relief, our Arkansas housing help guide may help you compare other options.
• Keep proof: Save copies of all forms, bills, letters, and notes from calls. Write down the date, staff name, and what they told you.

Resumen en español

En Arkansas, la ayuda principal para propietarios mayores no suele ser una exención total solo por tener 65 años o más. Normalmente viene del crédito de vivienda principal, del congelamiento del valor tasado para personas de 65 años o más o con discapacidad, y de revisar si el condado valoró la casa de forma correcta.

Para las facturas pagadas en 2026, el crédito de vivienda principal puede ser de hasta $600 si la propiedad califica. Una actualización legislativa de 2026 sube el crédito a hasta $675 para años de tasación que comienzan el 1 de enero de 2026, lo que se relaciona con facturas de 2027. Como las oficinas del condado pueden actualizar sus sistemas en fechas distintas, confirme la cantidad con el assessor del condado.

Si ya debe impuestos, llame de inmediato al collector del condado. Pregunte si la propiedad todavía está en el condado o si ya pasó al proceso estatal. Si es veterano con una discapacidad total y permanente relacionada con el servicio, pregunte también por la exención para veteranos discapacitados. Para más ayuda en Arkansas, puede revisar la guía de beneficios para personas mayores de Arkansas enlazada al inicio de esta página.

FAQ

Is there a property tax break just for turning 65 in Arkansas?

Not a blanket exemption. Arkansas’s main age-based help is the assessed-value freeze for homeowners age 65 or older, plus the regular homestead credit if the property is your main home. The freeze usually starts only after you apply with the assessor, and the total bill can still change if millage changes.

How much is the Arkansas homestead credit for bills paid in 2026?

For bills paid in 2026, the Arkansas homestead credit is up to $600 if the home qualifies. HB1103 raises the credit to up to $675 for assessment years beginning January 1, 2026, which affects 2027 bills. Ask your county assessor which amount is active on your bill.

Does the over-65 freeze stop my tax bill from ever going up?

No. The freeze applies to taxable assessed value, not to local millage. If your city, county, or school millage changes, the bill can still move. New construction and substantial improvements can also increase the assessment.

I bought a different home after turning 65. Can I still get the freeze?

Yes. Arkansas says that if a person age 65 or older buys a homestead, the new home can be frozen at the next assessment date after purchase. The old owner’s freeze does not pass to you, so call the assessor as soon as the deed records.

What if my home is in a trust or I deeded it to my child?

A trust or life estate can still qualify in some cases. Some revocable or irrevocable trusts and recorded life estates may keep homestead relief. If you deeded away the house and kept no recorded ownership interest, your relief may be at risk.

Is there a low-income senior circuit-breaker or rebate in Arkansas?

As of May 6, 2026, current Arkansas official sources do not show a broad statewide circuit-breaker, rebate, or general deferral program for older homeowners. Low-income seniors usually need to use the credit, the freeze, a value appeal, or partial payments.

Do I need to file every year?

The law requires you to register proof of eligibility with the assessor. Many counties keep the status on file until something important changes. A deed change, move, trust change, or change in use can knock the status off, so check the bill every year.

What happens if I miss October 15 or cannot pay on time?

Arkansas property taxes are generally due by October 15, and late payment brings penalties. If the taxes stay unpaid, the parcel can move into the Commissioner of State Lands process. Call the county collector before the deadline if you cannot pay the full amount.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified May 4, 2026. Next review September 4, 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only. It is not legal, financial, disability-rights, immigration, veterans-benefit, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, deadlines, dollar amounts, and availability can change. Always confirm current details directly with the official county or state office before you act.

About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.