Property Tax Relief for Seniors in Arkansas

Last updated: March 22, 2026

Bottom line: Arkansas does not give most older homeowners a blanket property tax exemption just for turning 65. The main statewide help is the homestead property tax credit, the age 65 or disability assessed-value freeze, and the Amendment 79 assessment caps. Act 330 of 2025 raised the homestead credit to up to $600 for assessment years beginning January 1, 2025, but some official pages still show older amounts, so always confirm your status with your county assessor before you assume a bill is right.

This matters to many families. The U.S. Census Bureau says 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 account.

If the tax bill puts the home at risk

• If you are already behind: Call your county collector now and ask whether the taxes are still at the county level or have moved to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands. If the parcel is already state-certified, use the state parcel search or call 1-501-324-9422 right away.
• If the credit or freeze is missing from the current bill: Contact your county assessor today and ask whether your homestead credit and over-65 or disability freeze are active.
• If you got a value increase notice and disagree: Start with the assessor immediately. Arkansas guidance says the deadline to appeal to the county board of equalization is usually the third Monday in August.

What Arkansas relief really looks like

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

Arkansas also uses its own tax math. Counties generally tax 20% of a home’s market value as assessed value, and local millage rates do the rest. 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 still matter even though it is not a full exemption.

Relief type	How it works in Arkansas	Statewide as of March 2026?	Where to start
Homestead credit	Reduces the tax on a primary home by up to $600, but not more than the tax owed	Yes	County assessor
Age 65 or disability freeze	Freezes the assessed value of an eligible homestead after you qualify and apply	Yes	County assessor
Amendment 79 caps	Caps assessment growth after reappraisal at 5% for homestead property and 10% for most other real property	Yes	County assessor
Disabled veteran exemption	Can exempt qualifying disabled veterans from property tax on the homestead and personal property	Yes, if the veteran qualifies	County collector or assessor, plus ADVA
Circuit-breaker, rebate, or general deferral	No broad statewide senior version appears in current official Arkansas sources	No broad statewide program verified	Ask county offices about local billing options

Quick facts that save time

• Best immediate takeaway: For bills paid in 2026, look for up to a $600 homestead credit.
• One major rule: The over-65 rule usually freezes assessed value, not the full tax bill.
• One realistic obstacle: The state property relief page still shows older credit amounts, while Pulaski County and Washington County now show $600.
• 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 and ask what proof they want for your 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 relief page and the Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division FAQ manual also say some homes in revocable or irrevocable trusts can qualify, and some nursing home or retirement-center residents may keep the credit under certain circumstances.

For the age 65 or disability freeze: You must first qualify for the homestead credit, then be age 65 or older or meet Arkansas’s technical disability standard described in the official FAQ manual. 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.

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 by up to $600. It cannot exceed the tax you owe, so it is not a cash refund.
• Who can get it: A homeowner using the dwelling as a principal residence, including some trust and life-estate situations, and only on one homestead 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 by 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’s technical definition.
• How it helps: It can stop a reappraisal from pushing the 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. 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 Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs property tax guide.
• Who can get it: The guide says qualifying veterans include those awarded special monthly compensation for the 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.
• How it helps: This is much stronger than the regular homestead credit. For those who qualify, it can wipe out the property tax entirely.
• How to apply: Start with your county collector or assessor and the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
• What to gather: Your VA award papers, ID, and property ownership papers.

---

What Arkansas does not currently offer statewide

• What it is: States sometimes offer income-based circuit-breakers, rebate checks, or deferrals. As of March 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 bill, HB1438, would have created a refundable income tax credit for taxpayers 65 and older equal to homestead property taxes paid, but 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.

County example	What stands out	Why it matters
Pulaski County	Shows the credit at up to $600 and directs homestead questions to the Assessor’s Real Estate Department at 1-501-340-6190	Pulaski also warns that special improvement taxes and personal property taxes are not covered by the homestead credit
Benton County	Has a separate Real Estate Department at 1-479-271-1037, email help, and several satellite offices	Calling the right desk first can save a long drive, especially for caregivers and rural seniors
Washington County	Links the $600 homestead credit, posts current millage rates, and explains payment rules through the collector’s office	It shows clearly that local millage and local collection rules can change what you actually owe

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, and the homestead-credit deadline for that assessment year is October 15, 2026.

1. Call the assessor before you go. Use the official county officials list and 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, or proof of age or 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

Key date	What it controls	Why it matters
May 31	Deadline to assess personal property	This is separate from the homestead credit, but missed assessments can trigger penalties and other headaches
Third Monday in August	Board of equalization appeal deadline	If you wait too long, a bad valuation may stay in place for that year
First business day in March through October 15	Property tax payment window	Late payment brings a 10% penalty, and delinquent real estate can move toward the state-land process
October 15 of the year after assessment	Homestead credit filing deadline	Do not count on a late fix after this date

Reality checks

• Freeze does not mean tax immunity: The state relief page 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 the frozen value: Arkansas says new construction, newly discovered property, and substantial improvements can still increase the assessment.
• Official pages do not always update at the same speed: Some pages still show older credit amounts. Call before you panic.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the over-65 freeze is automatic: Arkansas says eligible homeowners must apply with the county assessor.
• Claiming two homesteads in one year: Arkansas allows only one homestead credit each year.
• Deeding the house to a child without protecting your own interest: If you gave away ownership and did not keep a recorded life estate, you may lose homestead eligibility.
• Ignoring the value notice until fall: The appeal deadline is usually in August, not when the tax bill is already due.

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, and 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 property-tax guide because your relief may be much stronger than the regular senior path.

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 and then, if needed, use the county-court valuation appeal process.
• If the taxes are already delinquent, do not wait for the appeal to solve everything. Talk to the collector and, if necessary, the Commissioner of State Lands 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 the paperwork is the real problem: 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.

Local resources

• County assessor and collector contacts: Use the official county officials list or the Arkansas county services finder.
• State property tax help: The Arkansas Assessment Coordination Division can be reached at 1-501-324-9240.
• Delinquent real estate help: The Commissioner of State Lands can be reached at 1-501-324-9422.
• Veteran help: The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs can be reached at 1-501-683-2382.

Diverse communities

• Seniors with Disabilities: Arkansas uses a technical disability definition for the freeze, so ask the assessor which proof they accept before you go. The state FAQ manual is useful when local answers are vague.
• Veteran Seniors: If you have a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability or other qualifying VA award, do not stop at the regular senior freeze. Review the Arkansas veteran property-tax guide first.
• Rural Seniors with Limited Access: If travel is hard, use the state county services directory to get a direct phone number. Some counties, such as Benton and Washington, show multiple offices or remote contact options online.

Other options

• Get a local value opinion: A paid appraiser or good sales-comparison packet can strengthen an appeal.
• Use the state property-tax portals: The Arkansas Property Tax Center can help you find county payment tools and reminders.

Frequently asked questions

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. That 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?

Act 330 of 2025 raised the homestead credit to up to $600 for assessment years beginning January 1, 2025, which means 2026 bills should reflect the increase. Some official pages still show older amounts, but Pulaski County and Washington County already show $600.

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

No. Arkansas says 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. But 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. The state FAQ manual says some revocable or irrevocable trusts and recorded life estates still work for 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 March 2026, current Arkansas official sources do not show a broad statewide circuit-breaker, rebate, or general deferral program for older homeowners. A 2025 proposal, HB1438, would have created a refundable income tax credit for taxpayers age 65 and older equal to homestead property taxes paid, but it died in committee. That is why 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, but a deed change, move, trust change, or change in use can knock the status off. The safest habit is to check the bill every year and call the assessor if the credit or freeze line disappears.

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

Arkansas guidance says property taxes are generally due by October 15, and late payment brings a 10% penalty. If the taxes stay unpaid, the parcel can move into the Commissioner of State Lands process. If you are already behind, call the county collector first and then check the state parcel search to see whether you need a Petition to Redeem before sale.

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. La ley estatal aprobada en 2025 elevó el crédito de vivienda a hasta $600 para los años de tasación que comienzan el 1 de enero de 2025. Como algunas páginas oficiales todavía muestran cantidades viejas, conviene confirmar todo con la oficina del assessor del condado.

Si ya debe impuestos, comuníquese de inmediato con el collector del condado. Si la propiedad ya pasó al proceso estatal, use la búsqueda del Commissioner of State Lands o revise la guía oficial sobre redención y venta. Los veteranos con discapacidad total y permanente deben revisar la guía del Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. Para encontrar teléfonos y oficinas locales, use la lista oficial de county officials.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal and state sources, along with other high-trust nonprofit and community resources mentioned in the article.

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 March 22, 2026, next review July 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.