If you are a qualifying Clarksville homeowner, the Tennessee Property Tax Relief Program may help reimburse part or all of the property taxes paid on your principal residence. The program is available to certain low-income elderly and disabled homeowners, qualifying disabled veterans, and eligible surviving spouses.
It is important to understand that tax relief is not the same as a property tax exemption. You still receive a tax bill and remain responsible for following the payment and application instructions provided by the Montgomery County Trustee or other collecting official.
The program is administered locally under guidelines from the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
Who qualifies for Tennessee property tax relief in Clarksville?
The program generally covers four groups:
- Low-income elderly homeowners
- Low-income homeowners with qualifying disabilities
- Qualifying disabled veterans
- Surviving spouses of eligible disabled veterans
Your home must generally be owned by you and used as your principal residence. You cannot claim Tennessee property tax relief on multiple properties during the same tax year.
Eligibility depends on your category, ownership status, principal residence, documentation, and, when applicable, household income.
Elderly homeowners
For the 2026 tax year, an applicant generally must be at least 65 years old by December 31, 2026, own the home, and occupy it as a principal residence.
The income limit for the low-income elderly category can change each year. The Tennessee Comptroller’s 2026 materials identify a maximum prior-year income of $38,470 for qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners. Because the income limit is updated annually, do not rely on an older application, brochure, or online article when determining whether you qualify.
Homeowners with disabilities
A homeowner with a qualifying disability may also be eligible if the property is owned and used as the applicant’s principal residence and the applicable income requirements are met.
You may need documentation such as an award letter, disability determination, or other records accepted by the collecting official. The Montgomery County Trustee’s Office can explain which documents are required for your circumstances.
Disabled veterans
Qualifying disabled veterans may be eligible under Tennessee’s property tax relief provisions without the same income limitation that applies to low-income elderly and non-veteran disabled applicants.
Eligibility depends on the veteran’s service-connected disability status and the statutory criteria. The benefit is generally calculated against an eligible portion of the home’s market value, subject to program limits. The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services provides additional information about veteran-specific requirements.
Surviving spouses
An eligible surviving spouse of a qualifying disabled veteran may also receive property tax relief if the statutory requirements are met. Requirements can include ownership, principal-residence use, proof of the veteran’s qualifying status, and confirmation that the surviving spouse has not remarried.
Review the state’s guidance for property tax relief for surviving spouses, and contact the Trustee before submitting an application.
What counts as your principal residence?
Tennessee property tax relief is intended for the home you own and use as your primary residence, not a second home, investment property, or vacation property.
You may be asked to provide evidence such as:
- A deed or other proof of ownership
- A current property tax bill or receipt
- A driver’s license or identification showing the property address
- Voter registration or other residency records
- Utility bills or similar documentation
- Income records for the applicant, spouse, and applicable co-owners
- Disability or veteran-status records, when applicable
The Tennessee Comptroller also states that an applicant’s spouse’s income may be required even if the spouse does not live in the home or is not listed as an owner. If you are unsure how household income or co-ownership affects your application, ask the Trustee before filing.
What is the difference between property tax relief and tax freeze?
The names sound similar, but the programs work differently.
Property Tax Relief
Property tax relief provides a state-authorized reimbursement or credit for qualifying homeowners. The amount can vary based on factors such as:
- Your property assessment
- The applicable city and county tax rates
- The assessment ratio
- Your eligibility category
Tax relief does not necessarily pay your entire property tax bill, and it is not a permanent freeze on future tax increases.
Property Tax Freeze
A tax freeze establishes a base tax amount for a qualifying homeowner’s principal residence. In later years, the amount generally remains at that base level while the homeowner continues to qualify.
The freeze can be affected by improvements, changes to the property, or a sale. It also requires a separate application and annual qualification.
Montgomery County and the City of Clarksville participate in the local-option Tax Freeze Program. The Comptroller’s 2026 information lists a $63,470 income limit for Montgomery County and Clarksville’s tax freeze program. That figure is separate from the income limit for Tennessee property tax relief.
Clarksville’s tax freeze application is handled through the Montgomery County Trustee’s Office, not the City Finance and Revenue Department. Review the Comptroller’s official Tax Freeze information for current rules.
How do you apply for Tennessee property tax relief in Clarksville?
Your best first step is to contact the Montgomery County Trustee’s Office:
Montgomery County Trustee’s Office
Veterans Plaza
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-B
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: 931-648-5717
Montgomery County’s published 2026 guidance indicates that applications open November 1, 2026, with an April 5, 2027 deadline. Because local deadlines can relate to the property tax delinquency date, confirm the current schedule directly with the Trustee.
If your property is inside Clarksville city limits, the City Finance and Revenue Department may also accept property tax relief applications. The City’s official FAQ explains that first-time applicants generally apply through either the county or city office, not both, but approved homeowners may need to follow instructions for both county and city tax portions.
Do not wait until the deadline if you need to gather income, ownership, disability, or veteran documentation.
Do you still have to pay your property taxes?
Yes. The Tennessee Comptroller specifically explains that property tax relief is not an exemption. You remain responsible for receiving and addressing your tax bill.
Follow the instructions on your bill, voucher, and application materials. If you have a mortgage escrow account, also check whether your mortgage company is scheduled to pay the bill. If you are uncertain about the correct payment procedure, ask the Trustee or collecting official rather than assuming the tax relief will automatically remove the balance.
The state may issue a voucher or reimbursement process after approval. The amount and timing can vary.
What happens to tax relief after you sell your home?
Property tax relief is connected to your eligibility and your principal residence. It does not automatically transfer to a buyer when you sell a Clarksville home.
A buyer does not inherit your tax relief approval. If the buyer may qualify, the buyer must meet the program requirements and apply through the appropriate collecting official.
If you sell and purchase another home, do not assume your existing benefit automatically follows you to the new property. You may need to establish eligibility for the new principal residence, and the new property may have different ownership, assessment, or tax circumstances.
The same principle applies to the Tax Freeze Program: the Comptroller states that freeze benefits do not travel with the owner and must be established for each property. Contact the Trustee before or after closing so you understand how the sale affects your current-year application, voucher, or freeze status.
Haus perspective: confirm the tax picture before you buy or sell
Property taxes are one part of the cost of owning a home in Clarksville. If you are buying, ask how city and county taxes are handled, whether taxes are escrowed, and whether any existing tax benefit is personal to the current owner.
If you are selling, keep copies of your tax bills, vouchers, and Trustee correspondence. Tell your real estate professional about any tax relief or freeze status early in the transaction so the closing team can review the issue with the appropriate officials.
Haus helps buyers and sellers evaluate the practical costs and responsibilities connected to a Tennessee home. You can explore our buying a home resources, review additional homeowner resources, or contact Haus for guidance from an experienced local team.
Important: This article provides general educational information and is not tax, legal, financial, or veterans-benefits advice. Income limits, deadlines, documentation requirements, and eligibility rules may change. Confirm your situation with the Montgomery County Trustee, the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, a qualified tax professional, or another appropriate adviser before relying on this information.
