Hamilton's November Highlights
Dear Neighbor,
Welcome to my newsletter, which includes updates from my work in recent weeks representing House District 87. As always, feel free to contact my office at h87@iga.in.gov with any questions or concerns.
In service,
Organization Day: The Ceremonial Start of Session.
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, lawmakers returned to the Statehouse for Organizational Day to get prepared for the upcoming legislative session. Newly elected members were sworn in, and we fought for transparency in our House rules.
The 2025 session is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8, and I'm ready to get to work for our district and Hoosiers throughout the state. This year is a budget session, so I’ll be working with my colleagues to create Indiana’s biennial budget. Two of my main priorities for our budget are fully funding our public schools — including providing Pre-K for all — and improving access to affordable high quality child care. I’m determined to do everything I can in 2025 to ensure that hard working Hoosiers and their families have a chance to thrive.
If you have any questions about my legislation, the legislative process or concerns, please contact h87@iga.in.gov.
Indiana Library Federation Panel
Last week, I had the pleasure of serving on a panel for the Indiana Library Foundation. At this panel, we discussed ways for the General Assembly to support the invaluable community resources that libraries offer and some of ILF’s policy priorities. As a proud supporter and patron of our public libraries, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to strengthen their positive impact in our communities.
Don’t forget! Seniors qualify for property tax savings.
Even though we’re well past property tax season, I wanted to remind our seniors of the savings and deductions they can take advantage of in the future. Across the state, property valuations have risen and resulted in increased property tax bills for homeowners. Relief is available to seniors over the age of 65 who can apply for property tax breaks.
Over 65 Property Tax Deduction
Here in Marion County, any person over the age of 65 who owns real estate is entitled to a property tax deduction. Seniors can receive a deduction in assessed value of $14,000 or half the assessed value, whichever is less. Here’s a list of the qualifications:
You turned 65 or older by December 31 of the prior year.
You can also receive the deduction if your spouse was 65 or older at the time of death. You must be 60 or older and have not remarried.
You own or have been paying on a recorded contract for at least one year.
You live in the property as your primary residence.
You and your spouse have a combined maximum adjusted gross income of $44,871.36 or if single, $33,653.52 for the prior year (these numbers are for property tax bills due in 2025, specifically). These income amounts include that of your spouse and all others who own or pay rent on the property.
The assessed property value of your home is $240,000 or less.
You receive no other property tax deductions except the homestead standard and supplemental deductions and the fertilizer storage deduction.
Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit
The Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit limits how much your taxes will increase each year. With this credit, your taxes will increase no more than 2% each year. Here’s a list of the qualifications:
You turned 65 or older by December 31 of the prior year.
You have qualified for the homestead standard deduction on the same property this year and last year.
You have an adjusted gross income of $33,653.52 or less, or a combined adjusted gross income with your spouse of $44,871.36 or less (these numbers are for property tax bills due in 2025, specifically).
The gross assessed property value is $240,000 (if you have applied for this deduction on or after December 31, 2022) or less on the homestead portion of the property. You can find the value of the homestead portion of your property on your tax bill or property record card.
You own, are buying on a recorded contract, or have a beneficial interest in the property.
Applications for both the Over 65 Property Tax Deduction and Over 65 Circuit Breaker Credit must be submitted no later than December 31st.
To apply, contact the Marion County auditor at (317)-327-4646. The auditor’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and they’re located in Suite 841 of the the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204. A link to the Marion County auditor’s website is available here. You can also visit the Department of Local Government Finance’s website for more information and documentation on property tax deductions.
I hope senior homeowners in House District 87 take advantage of these resources!
Volunteer this Holiday Season!
It’s the season of giving! Whether it’s bell ringing, serving meals or donating toys, there are multiple opportunities to volunteer in our area. Here are some Indianapolis organizations in need of volunteers this holiday season:
Wheeler Mission: Wheeler Mission provides meals, housing and entrepreneurial opportunities for men, women and children Volunteer opportunities include serving meals, housekeeping/cleaning, recreation nights, and working in their thrift store. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. A link to their website is available here.
Gleaners Food Bank: Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana distributes food to over 250 partner agencies and is working towards a world where every bowl is filled. Volunteers ages 9 and up can help Gleaners by inspecting and sorting donations, assembling Commodity Supplemental Food Program boxes, or helping in the Community Cupboard store. Gleaners also has the Backsacks program, which is an assembly line bag stuffing project that prepares food sacks to go home with children, so they have meals for over the weekend. A link to their website is available here.
Ronald McDonald House: The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana provides a home for more than 5,000 families of children every year who are receiving medical care at Riley Hospital for Children and other area hospitals. Volunteers can help prepare and serve meals for houseguests, or they can donate to the House’s holiday wish list or collect pop tabs. A link to their website is available here.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army Indiana offers two volunteer options for kids and families each holiday season. People can be part of the Red Kettle Christmas Campaign by donating two hours of time and becoming bell ringers. Families can also adopt an Angel this holiday season and provide gifts for a special child this holiday season. Families will receive an Angel Tree bag to fill with gifts such as clothing, shoes, toys, and games, which can then be returned back to the Angel Tree by Dec. 6th. The link to adopt an angel is available here and the link to the Salvation Army’s website is available here.
Toys for Tots: Toys for Tots is bringing joy to less fortunate children across the country this holiday season through donations of toys. Take the entire family out to select a toy and drop it off at any of these local Indiana donation sites. A link to the Toys for Tots website is available here.
Small Business Saturday
We all like getting a head start on our holiday shopping with Black Friday discounts, but don’t forget about Small Business Saturday! Shopping at small, local businesses, including in the Lawrence, Binford/Allisonville, Castleton and Broad Ripple areas, stimulates our local economy and helps our community thrive. Supporting small businesses is an investment in the area as it creates jobs and keeps dollars circulating locally. Additionally, shopping locally is more sustainable as it conserves resources in the form of fuel and packaging. Local shops are more likely to purchase locally and have more direct supply chains, eliminating carbon that is emitted while transporting goods long distances.
When you make your holiday shopping plans, make sure you don’t miss Small Business Saturday!
What Indiana lawmakers said about the state budget and property tax reform ahead of the 2025 session
https://www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2024/11/18/state-budget-2025-legislative-session-begins/
New report highlights Indiana’s Choice Scholarships as vouchers increase nationwide
Why do some schools need referendums? Expert says property tax caps complicate funding
IU offering academic and college application support to low-income students
Hoosier seniors on Medicaid waiver waitlist file class-action lawsuit against Indiana
Two-year tax task force releases property, income and business recommendations
Thanksgiving 2024: Where to find a free turkey or meal in Indy
https://indianapolisrecorder.com/where-to-find-a-free-turkey-or-meal-in-indy/
