School Referendums, Fall Taxes and Your Homestead: What Hamilton County Homeowners Need to Know This November

**The short version:** Four of five Hamilton County school operating referendums passed on Nov. 3 (Carmel Clay, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville and Westfield Washington). Sheridan’s was the only one that did not pass. Those outcomes will shape property tax bills starting in 2027. Fall property taxes are due Tuesday, Nov. 10. If you bought a home in 2026, make sure your homestead deduction is filed by Jan. 15, 2027.

Hi, I’m John Long with Coldwell Banker Kaiser Real Estate in Carmel. Every week I share what’s happening around Hamilton County and what it means for buyers and sellers. This week is about the money side of owning a home.

Five school referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot

Across Indiana, a record 38 school districts asked voters to approve referendums this fall, and five of them are here in Hamilton County. Each one is an operating referendum, which pays for day-to-day costs like teacher and staff salaries and school safety, for up to eight years.

The state requires each ballot question to estimate the yearly effect on a median home. Here’s what the official ballot language says:

– Carmel Clay Schools:** up to $1,062 more per year on a $500,000 home
– Noblesville Schools:** up to $955 more per year on a $350,000 home
– Westfield Washington Schools:** up to $873 more per year on a $450,000 home
– Hamilton Southeastern Schools:** up to $700 more per year on a $400,000 home
– Sheridan Community Schools:** about $454 more per year on its median home

One important detail: several of these measures replace a referendum homeowners already pay rather than adding a brand-new tax on top. The state-required number shows the full levy, not the difference. HSE’s current referendum rate is 19.95 cents per $100 of assessed value, for example, and Westfield Washington says the actual projected increase for a $426,700 home is about $148 per year after its current levy and credits.

Unofficial Nov. 3 results** (Hamilton County returns reported by The Reporter; still pending Election Board certification):

– Carmel Clay Schools:** passed, 58.07% yes (24,669) to 41.93% no (17,812)
– Hamilton Southeastern Schools:** passed, 58.33% yes (25,624) to 41.67% no (18,309)
– Noblesville Schools:** passed, 57.18% yes (15,211) to 42.82% no (11,393)
– Westfield Washington Schools:** passed, 56.01% yes (14,542) to 43.99% no (11,423)
– Sheridan Community Schools:** did not pass, 47.67% yes (931) to 52.33% no (1,022)

So four of the five Hamilton County school referendums passed. Sheridan was the only district that fell short.

**Why it matters for buyers and sellers:** School referendum taxes show up in your property tax bill, so they affect your monthly payment if your lender escrows taxes. When I help buyers compare homes in different school districts, we look at the actual tax rate for each address, not just the price.

Fall property taxes are due Tuesday, Nov. 10

The Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office says the fall installment is due Tuesday, Nov. 10. You can pay online (cards carry a 2.5% fee, e-checks are $1), by mail with a postmark by the due date, in person at the Treasurer’s Office in the Historic Courthouse in Noblesville, or at participating local banks through Nov. 10. There’s also a dropbox on the west side of the Historic Courthouse that counts as on time until midnight on Nov. 10. Payments made after the deadline get a penalty. If your lender escrows your taxes, it pays this for you.

My tip this week: new owners, check your homestead deduction

Indiana’s homestead deduction lowers the taxable value of the home you live in, and recent state law (Senate Enrolled Act 1) added a supplemental homestead credit of 10% of your bill, up to $300 a year. But you only get these if you’ve filed for the homestead deduction.

According to Hamilton County, if you bought your primary home in 2026, you need to apply by **Jan. 15, 2027** to get the deduction on taxes payable in 2027. You can apply online or in person through the county auditor. If you already have the deduction, you don’t need to reapply unless your deed, marital status or use of the property changed.

Sellers, this matters for you too: buyers often look at the current tax bill, and a bill without the homestead deduction can look much higher than what an owner-occupant will actually pay. I can help explain that in your listing.

Rates eased a bit

Freddie Mac’s 30-year fixed rate averaged 7.24% for the week of Oct. 29, its lowest level this month, down from 7.32% the week before. That’s still above last year’s 6.17%, but every little drop helps buying power.

Quick FAQ

When are Hamilton County fall property taxes due in 2026?**
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, according to the Hamilton County Treasurer’s Office.

Do I need to reapply for my homestead deduction every year?**
No. You only need to file again if your deed, marital status or the use of the property changes. If you bought a home in 2026, file by Jan. 15, 2027.

Does a school referendum change my tax bill right away?**
A referendum approved this fall would generally affect bills starting in 2027. Because some measures replace an existing referendum, the change for your home may be smaller than the number on the ballot. Check your district’s website for its estimate.

Let’s talk about your next move

Whether you’re comparing school districts, wondering what your tax bill might look like on a new home, or thinking about selling, I’m happy to help you run the real numbers. Call or text me at **(317) 750-9698**.

*John Long, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Kaiser Real Estate | 12401 Old Meridian St, Carmel, IN 46032 | (317) 750-9698*

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## Sources

1. Axios Indianapolis, “1-minute voter guide: Central Indiana school referendums,” Oct. 19, 2026: https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/10/19/voter-guide-central-indiana-school-referendums
2. Of, For and By the People, Hamilton County sample ballot with official referendum ballot language (Indiana Election Division list as of Oct. 22, 2026): https://www.offorandbythepeople.com/indiana/hamilton/
3. LarryInFishers, “What HSE voters need to know before Tuesday’s referendum,” Nov. 1, 2026: https://www.larryinfishers.com/2026/11/01/hse-referendum-what-voters-need-to-know/
4. Indiana DLGF, Westfield Washington Schools operating referendum determination (2026): https://www.in.gov/dlgf/files/referendum-documentation2/2026-november-referendum-documents/26-007-Westfield-Washington-Schools-Operating-Determination.pdf
5. Westfield Washington Schools, “Excellent Schools, Excellent Community” referendum page: https://www.wws.k12.in.us/community/excellent-schools-excellent-community
6. Hamilton County Treasurer, “2026 Fall Property Tax Reminder,” posted Oct. 28, 2026: https://hamiltoncounty.in.gov/m/NewsFlash
7. Hamilton County, Payment Methods and Lender Information: https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/673/Payment-Methods-and-Lender-Information
8. Hamilton County, Standard Homestead Credit (deduction schedule, $300 supplemental credit, Jan. 15, 2027 filing deadline): https://hamiltoncounty.in.gov/376/Standard-Homestead-Credit
9. Freddie Mac, “Mortgage Rates Decline Further to 7.24%,” Oct. 29, 2026: https://freddiemac.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mortgage-rates-decline-further-724/
10. Hamilton County Elections, 2026 General Sample Ballots: https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/2160/2026-General-Sample-Ballots
11. The Reporter (Hamilton County), Daily Edition Nov. 4, 2026, unofficial school referendum tallies: https://readthereporter.com/DailyEdition/2026-11-04.pdf
12. LarryInFishers, “HSE Schools referendum passes; Sheridan only Hamilton County district to fall short,” Nov. 3, 2026: https://www.larryinfishers.com/2026/11/03/hse-schools-referendum-passes-sheridan-only-hamilton-county-district-to-fall-short/
13. Axios Indianapolis, “Central Indiana voters approve tax hikes for schools,” Nov. 4, 2026: https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2026/11/04/voters-approve-tax-hikes-referendum-schools-ips-marion-hamilton-county