Taxes

Stop Giving Property Tax Breaks to Senior Citizens

If the government does not reduce the cost of public services, then a special tax break for one group merely forces everyone else to pick up the slack.

Eric Boehm | 5.28.2026 11:30 AM

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(Illustration: Adani Samat. Photo: Yuri Arcurs/Dreamstime)

"Our seniors should not pay property taxes," says Rep. Nancy Mace (R–S.C.).

Normally, I'd advise against paying much attention to what Mace says and even less to what she posts on Twitter. Mace is one of the most performative and vapid members of Congress—a tall task, if you're familiar with her competition. She's most well-known for having meltdowns in airports, engaging in weird bits of performance art, and terrorizing staffers, all apparently guided by the old axiom that there's no such thing as bad publicity.

But there is such a thing as bad policy, and Mace's endorsement of expanding property tax breaks for senior citizens is exactly that.

Unfortunately, this is an idea that seems to be suddenly gaining traction with more serious Republican elected officials. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun told reporters this week that he's hoping to create a new tax break for older residents who have paid off their mortgages.

"Once you get to 65, maybe you ought to have some relief from your own government to not have property taxes after that," he said.

Yes, as a libertarian writing for a libertarian publication, I am obligated to........

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