Property Tax Exemptions You're Probably Not Claiming in Mississippi

Mississippi's homestead exemption has three tiers that escalate by age and disability, and one detail catches a lot of people off guard: turning 65 doesn't move you up to the bigger exemption automatically. You have to file again.

The tier almost everyone starts on

Homeowners under 65 who aren't fully disabled qualify for the Regular Exemption, a tax credit up to $300 based on the property's value. This is the baseline most working-age homeowners are on.

The tier that requires a new filing, even if nothing else changed

Once you turn 65, or if you're totally disabled at any age, you qualify for the Age/Disability Exemption: the first $75,000 of your home's true value, equivalent to $7,500 of assessed value under Mississippi's residential assessment ratio, exempt from tax. Here's the part worth knowing clearly: the state's own guidance is explicit that turning 65 doesn't bump you up to this tier by itself. You need to reapply with your county tax assessor during the next filing period, January 1 through April 1, to actually receive the larger exemption. Once you're on this tier, you generally don't need to refile every year after that, unless something else changes, marital status, ownership, or a change in disability status.

The one that can eliminate the bill entirely

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, honorably discharged, are exempt from all ad valorem tax on their homestead's assessed value, effectively zeroing out the bill. A separate path exists for elderly veterans as well, though sources disagree on the exact age threshold, either 85 or 90, so confirm the current requirement with your county assessor. Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans continue to receive this exemption, and it also extends to surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty. Bring your DD-214 and VA Summary of Benefits letter when applying.

What to actually check

If you recently turned 65, don't assume you're automatically receiving the larger exemption; confirm with your county tax assessor that you've actually filed for it during the January 1 through April 1 window. If you're a veteran, confirm your current exemption figure directly with your assessor, since one source claims a 2026 increase that couldn't be confirmed against the state's own published guidance. And if a spouse holding the exemption passes away, remember the exemption doesn't automatically transfer; the surviving spouse needs to file a fresh application.