Learn How To Lower Property Taxes in Ohio and Save Big With DoNotPay
Ohio is an expensive place to own real estate. Although the state boasts that it is cheaper than its Midwestern neighbors, it is not one of the states with low property tax. Ohio’s property tax rates lie at 1.48%, well above the U.S. average of 1.07%. With property prices in Ohio on the rise by up to 5% a year but household median income only growing by 1%, property tax bills in the Buckeye State are set to have an increasingly significant impact on your budget.
We know you are looking to save money, and DoNotPay can help you pay your property tax with customized advice on reducing your property tax liability.
How Does Ohio Work Out Your Property Tax?
Ohio sets statewide guidelines for property tax but leaves the administration and collection to the county level. The result is that property tax rates vary wildly across the state.
The most expensive counties are:
| County | Median Home Value | Median Annual Property Tax Payment | Average Effective Property Tax Rate |
| Cuyahoga | $128,000 | $3,126 | 2.44% |
| Montgomery | $115,400 | $2,511 | 2.18% |
| Franklin | $165,800 | $3,392 | 2.05% |
| Lucas | $113,100 | $2,283 | 2.02% |
| Greene | $168,200 | $3,189 | 1.90% |
| Delaware | $293,900 | $5,348 | 1.82% |
| Hamilton | $149,300 | $2,705 | 1.81% |
| Summit | $140,700 | $2,540 | 1.81% |
| Lake | $153,100 | $2,736 | 1.79% |
| Lorain | $145,100 | $2,455 | 1.69% |
At the other end of the scale, Lawrence County only charges an effective rate of 0.87%, resulting in an average annual property tax bill of only $893. Living in Ohio, it pays to be selective about your exact location.
Property taxes in Ohio are calculated using two factors:
- Assessed property value
- Tax rate
Assessed Property Value
Each property in Ohio is assessed to determine its market value and therefore its taxable value, but Ohio state law only requires that a physical assessment takes place every six years. This means that annual increases for residential property are estimated based on these two methods:
- Sale price method, which compares your property’s value with similar properties in your area that have been sold recently
- Cost method, which estimates what your home would cost if it were built new today
Annual reappraisal notices are sent out in May–June each year, and the deadline for appealing against your property valuation is March 31.
Tax Rate
The tax rate in Ohio is set by each county and takes account of the funding needs of the area in question.
Your property tax is used to fund the local amenities and services that make life in Ohio smooth and trouble-free, so your property tax bill is a collection of the budgets submitted by:
- School districts
- Cities
- Counties
- Special projects sanctioned by local voters
The only control you can exercise in the setting of the tax rate is via the ballot box—by voting to approve or decline local improvement projects or special expenditure.
What Can You Do To Lower Your Property Tax in Ohio?
If you want to reduce your property tax liability in Ohio, you have to address either the tax rate or the assessed property value of your home. DoNotPay is your expert advisor on both courses of action, and we can provide you with customized, actionable advice that could make a significant difference to your property tax bill.
If you want to do something about the effect of the tax rate in your county, you can search for property tax exemptions you may be eligible for.
Your other course of action looks at your home’s assessed value with the option of lodging an appeal to have the valuation reduced.
What Ohio Property Tax Exemptions Are Available?
Ohio does not offer a standard homestead exemption for all homeowners, but it does offer several exemptions that can have a major impact on your tax bill if you fulfill the qualification criteria:
| Exemption |
Explanation |
| Senior homestead exemption | Every homeowner over the age of 65 using a property as their primary residence can apply for an exemption on the first $25,000 of their home’s assessed value. Their annual income must be under $32,800 to qualify |
| Disabled homestead exemption | 100% permanently disabled persons or their surviving unremarried spouse may qualify for the same amount of exemption as a senior does |
| Veterans’ exemption | 100% disabled veterans are eligible for an exemption of $50,000 off the assessed value of their home, and the same applies to their surviving unremarried spouse |
What Can You Do About Your Property Assessment in Ohio?
If none of the above exemptions apply to you, your only other course of action is to attempt to lower the assessed value of your property.
There are a couple of street-smarts you can employ easily, such as:
- Avoiding any work on your property that could increase its value on the property market
- Checking your property tax bill for any errors or inconsistencies
The biggest step you can take, though, is to launch an appeal to have your assessment reappraised—and hopefully reduced.
Between 20% and 40% of homeowners in Ohio who appeal their property tax assessment receive a reduced valuation. The appeal process is complex and demands time and effort, as well as a lot of documentation. Hiring someone to do the legwork for you is an option, but you may find that the costs of this outweigh the benefits you accrue.
Whatever your chosen course of action, though, can help you achieve your goal.
How Can DoNotPay Help With Property Taxes in Ohio?
DoNotPay knows all the ins and outs of property tax, and we can give you customized advice to help you make the most of your opportunities.
Our app creates a personalized property tax guide that looks at your age, location, and property situation to find out your best course of action.
The guide has two sections to help you:
- Property tax exemptions, with tailored advice on your area, the documents you need, and the application process
- Property tax assessments, which helps you to deal with assessors and lodge an appeal
Where Can You Get Your Personal Property Guide From DoNotPay?
Your guide is ready and waiting to be generated—all you need to do is:
- , sign up, and navigate to the Property Tax feature
- Give us some personal details about you and your property
- Wait while we generate your personal guide
Explore the Full Range of DoNotPay’s Services
Don’t let annoying bureaucracy stop you from exercising your rights or finding new opportunities. DoNotPay—the world’s first robot lawyer—comes with a diverse portfolio full of practical shortcuts for:
- Resolving issues with credit cards
- Locating and contacting friends and family members who are doing time
- Protecting your creative work from copyright violation
- Contacting customer support representatives without delays
- Signing up for clinical trials in your area
Struggling with finances? Our app will help you manage unpaid bills, find and claim lost money in any state, or get college application fee waivers.
Minimize Paperwork With DoNotPay
Writing letters, filing claims, sending requests—these chores are nobody’s idea of fun. Thanks to DoNotPay, you can bypass these menial tasks with a few clicks in your browser.
Our platform is full of useful tips and features for filing insurance and warranty claims, dealing with parking tickets, getting refunds and chargebacks, or writing harassment cease-and-desist letters.
DMV offices don’t have to be the place where hope goes to die. With DoNotPay, you will be able to schedule any DMV appointment without the nightmare of waiting in lines. While you’re at it, you can check out our guides and practice tests for the best driving exam preparation!