Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Arkansas. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Taxes
Property tax relief for seniors in Arkansas
Arkansas has 2 programs that can lower property taxes for older adults: Age 65 or disabled assessment freeze and Homestead Property Tax Credit. Each one has its own rules and deadline.
Age 65 or disabled assessment freeze
If you are 65 or older (or disabled) and get Arkansas's homestead credit, you may have your home's assessed value frozen. You apply once with your county assessor. Your bill can still change if local millage rates change.
How to apply
- In person
- Apply for the freeze at your county assessor's office
Who may qualify
| Age | 65 or older, or disabled |
|---|---|
| Home | A home that qualifies for the homestead tax credit: you are the record owner (or buying it under a recorded contract, or hold a recorded life estate) and it is your homestead |
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
What you may get
| What it does | Your home's assessed value is frozen from the next assessment date after you turn 65 or become disabled (or after you buy the home, if you already qualify) |
|---|
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
How Arkansas is different
Where Arkansas's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- The value, not the tax, is frozen: your bill can still rise if local millage rates go up
- Improvements that add 25% or more to the home's value can raise the frozen value
- The freeze can't pass to the next owner
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
Good to know
- Homes not frozen are still protected by Amendment 79: a homestead's taxable value can rise no more than 5% a year until it reaches full assessed value.
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
Homestead Property Tax Credit
Arkansas takes up to $500 a year off the property tax on the home you own and live in, rising to up to $600 starting with 2026 tax bills. It is for homeowners of any age, and it is also the first step to the freeze for people 65 or older. You apply with your county assessor.
How to apply
- In person
- Apply for the credit at your county assessor's office
Who may qualify
| Age | Any age |
|---|---|
| Home | Your homestead, where you are the record owner, buyer under a recorded sales contract, or holder of a recorded life estate |
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
What you may get
| Credit, current tax bills | Up to $500 a year |
|---|---|
| Credit starting with 2026 tax bills | Up to $600 a year (authorized by the General Assembly) |
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
How Arkansas is different
Where Arkansas's rules differ from the federal rules for Property tax relief for seniors.
- Only one homestead credit per owner each year
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Arkansas
Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Arkansas
Property tax relief in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Assessment Coordination Division, Property Tax Relief (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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