Homeowners in a record number of school districts – mostly concentrated in rural and exurban areas – don’t get the full benefit of state law meant to keep property tax sticker shock in check.
Homeowners in a record number of school districts – mostly concentrated in rural and exurban areas – don’t get the full benefit of state law meant to keep property tax sticker shock in check. Credit: Jeff Haynes / Signal Cleveland

By April Urban, Signal Cleveland

Understanding Ohio’s property tax system can be confusing, especially as it relates to how homeowners are supposed to benefit from a safety valve built into it. The tax system is supposed to keep big jumps in property values from translating into spikes in the tax bills. But not all homeowners benefit the same from the formula.

Signal Statewide Reporter Andrew Tobias shares how a law meant to limit property tax hikes isn’t helping some Ohio homeowners.

Also, you can find more details about your local property tax rates and related information in the maps below.

In the first map, you can explore 2023 residential property tax rates by school district boundaries. In the second map, you can explore school districts at the 20-mill floor, a term that describes the point at which homeowners don’t benefit as much from the safety valve meant to keep taxes in check when home values rise. In the third map, you can find when your county properties are reappraised.