District of Columbia Senior (65+) Exemption: Eligibility & How to Apply

Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief

Who qualifies

Age: 65 or older
Income limit: $159,750For tax year 2025, total household federal adjusted gross income (for 2023) must be less than $159,750 (adjusted annually), including all persons residing in the household except tenants paying fair-market rent under a written lease. Only one owner need be age 65 or older, and that owner must own at least 50% of the property.
Ownership: The qualifying senior must own at least 50% of the property and occupy it.
Residency: Owner must be domiciled in the District and the property must be the owner's principal residence.

How much it saves

Worked example — a $300,000 home at District of Columbia's median effective rate (~0.58%):

~$865/year

Estimate — this is an estimate, not a quoted bill.

Your county's rate differs — use the calculator for a figure tuned to where you live.

How to apply

Application required: Yes
Deadline: Filed electronically via MyTax.DC.gov (same timing as the Homestead Deduction: full-year benefit if approved Oct 1-Mar 31; second half only if approved Apr 1-Sep 30).
Renewal: automatic — Periodic reconfirmation may be required; the owner must notify OTR within 30 days if the property ceases to qualify.
Official application form

Combining with other exemptions

Requires the Homestead Deduction. There is no additional benefit for being both senior and disabled. A property receiving the Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction cannot also receive this relief.

Verified Jul 2026 · D.C. Official Code Sec. 47-863

Official sources:

By Sharon Ben-MosheHow we verify & estimate

Informational only — not legal or tax advice. Exemption rules and amounts are summarized from official statutes and state tax-agency sources as of each program's verified date and can change by legislative session. Dollar figures are estimates derived from Census ACS county tax data, not actual bills. Confirm your eligibility and current amounts with your county assessor before relying on anything here.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for the senior (65+) exemption in District of Columbia?

Under D.C. Official Code Sec. 47-863, Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief is available to homeowners age 65 or older, households under a $159,750 income limit. The qualifying senior must own at least 50% of the property and occupy it. Owner must be domiciled in the District and the property must be the owner's principal residence.

How much does the senior (65+) exemption save in District of Columbia?

It provides a 50% reduction. As an estimate, on a $300,000 home taxed at District of Columbia's median effective rate (0.58%), that is roughly $865 per year. This is an estimate from Census ACS data, not an actual bill.

Do I have to apply for the senior (65+) exemption?

Yes — an application is required, and the deadline is: Filed electronically via MyTax.DC.gov (same timing as the Homestead Deduction: full-year benefit if approved Oct 1-Mar 31; second half only if approved Apr 1-Sep 30).. The official form is linked in the sources below.

Does the senior (65+) exemption renew automatically?

Once granted, it generally renews automatically. Periodic reconfirmation may be required; the owner must notify OTR within 30 days if the property ceases to qualify.

Can the senior (65+) exemption be combined with other exemptions?

Requires the Homestead Deduction. There is no additional benefit for being both senior and disabled. A property receiving the Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction cannot also receive this relief.

Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief

Who qualifies

Age: 65 or older
Income limit: $159,750For tax year 2025, total household federal adjusted gross income (for 2023) must be less than $159,750 (adjusted annually), including all persons residing in the household except tenants paying fair-market rent under a written lease. Only one owner need be age 65 or older, and that owner must own at least 50% of the property.
Ownership: The qualifying senior must own at least 50% of the property and occupy it.
Residency: Owner must be domiciled in the District and the property must be the owner's principal residence.

How much it saves

Worked example — a $300,000 home at District of Columbia's median effective rate (~0.58%):

~$865/year

Estimate — this is an estimate, not a quoted bill.

Your county's rate differs — use the calculator for a figure tuned to where you live.

How to apply

Application required: Yes
Deadline: Filed electronically via MyTax.DC.gov (same timing as the Homestead Deduction: full-year benefit if approved Oct 1-Mar 31; second half only if approved Apr 1-Sep 30).
Renewal: automatic — Periodic reconfirmation may be required; the owner must notify OTR within 30 days if the property ceases to qualify.
Official application form

Combining with other exemptions

Requires the Homestead Deduction. There is no additional benefit for being both senior and disabled. A property receiving the Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction cannot also receive this relief.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for the senior (65+) exemption in District of Columbia?

How much does the senior (65+) exemption save in District of Columbia?

Do I have to apply for the senior (65+) exemption?

Does the senior (65+) exemption renew automatically?

Once granted, it generally renews automatically. Periodic reconfirmation may be required; the owner must notify OTR within 30 days if the property ceases to qualify.

Can the senior (65+) exemption be combined with other exemptions?

Requires the Homestead Deduction. There is no additional benefit for being both senior and disabled. A property receiving the Disabled Veterans Homestead Deduction cannot also receive this relief.