Property taxes in Columbus can feel like a moving target when you are buying, selling, or budgeting for the year. You want clear answers about how bills are calculated, when they are due, and what you can do to lower your costs. In this guide, you will learn how assessments and millage work in Franklin County, how to estimate taxes for a specific property, which exemptions may apply, and where to find official information. Let’s dive in.
What your taxes fund
Property taxes support essential local services. A large share often goes to public schools, with portions also funding county and city services, libraries, parks, and special districts. The exact mix varies by location because voter-approved levies differ from one area to another. Your parcel’s total millage reflects all the levies that apply to your address.
How taxes are calculated
Property taxes in Ohio are based on assessed value and millage. Your assessed value is a percentage of your home’s market value, and the county applies the total millage that covers schools and local services. Credits, rollbacks, and exemptions can adjust the final bill.
Assessed value vs market value
Ohio uses assessed value set at about 35 percent of true market value. That means the number on your tax record is not your home’s full market value. For current state-level rules on assessment, review the guidance from the Ohio Department of Taxation.
What is a mill
One mill equals 1 dollar of tax per 1,000 dollars of assessed value. Your total millage is the sum of county, city, school district, and other levies that apply to your parcel.
Simple example
Here is an illustrative example. If a home’s market value is 200,000 dollars, the assessed value at 35 percent is 70,000 dollars. With a combined 120 mills, the estimate would be 70 times 120, which equals 8,400 dollars before any credits or exemptions.
Effective vs nominal rate
When you hear people compare taxes to market value, they are talking about the effective tax rate. Because Ohio taxes are applied to assessed value rather than full market value, the effective rate will look lower when you compare total taxes paid to market price.
Who does what in Franklin County
- The Franklin County Auditor values property, maintains parcel records, and provides search tools for assessments and tax history. Explore the Franklin County Auditor site to look up a specific parcel.
- The Franklin County Treasurer sends tax bills, posts due dates, and collects payments. Check payment options and deadlines on the Franklin County Treasurer site.
- The Franklin County Board of Revision hears valuation appeals if you think your assessed value is too high. See forms and timelines at the Franklin County Board of Revision.
- The City of Columbus and local school districts administer voted levies that affect your millage. For city information, start at the City of Columbus.
Estimate taxes for a specific home
Use this quick process to get a realistic number for a property in Columbus or the surrounding suburbs.
- Look up the parcel.
- Search the address on the Franklin County Auditor site to see assessed value, tax history, and which school district applies.
- Review last year’s bill.
- Ask the seller or listing agent for the most recent tax bill. Verify what was billed and whether any special assessments or credits appear.
- Check for special assessments or abatements.
- Look for items like sidewalk improvements, sewer assessments, or local service district fees. If the property has a tax abatement, note when it expires and how that could change future bills.
- Note school district and voted levies.
- Parcels in different school districts often carry different millage. Your Auditor parcel page will show which districts and levies apply.
- Model a change in value.
- If you expect the assessed value to change after a sale or a county reappraisal, estimate how that could affect the bill. Use the millage concept to build a rough estimate and confirm details with the Auditor or Treasurer.
Billing and payment basics
The Treasurer issues tax bills and sets due dates. You can usually pay online, by mail, or in person, and many homeowners pay through a mortgage escrow. If you pay late, penalties and interest may apply, so confirm options and timelines on the Treasurer’s site.
For purchase transactions, taxes are commonly prorated between buyer and seller at closing. If your lender escrows taxes, plan for your monthly payment to adjust when taxes change or if new levies pass.
Exemptions and relief programs
You may see tax reductions tied to your situation or to the property itself. Common categories include owner-occupancy credits or rollbacks, homestead relief for seniors or disabled homeowners, and programs for veterans or surviving spouses. Some properties qualify for abatements through local incentive programs like Community Reinvestment Areas.
Eligibility, income limits, and application steps can change. Review current rules and programs with the Franklin County Auditor and the Ohio Department of Taxation. Do not assume an existing exemption or abatement will transfer without confirming it first.
Reappraisals and appeals
Franklin County periodically reappraises property values. You can check your parcel’s valuation history and any recent changes on the Auditor’s site. If you believe your assessed value is too high, you can file a valuation appeal with the Franklin County Board of Revision.
Appeals have strict filing windows and documentation requirements. You will want recent comparable sales and possibly an independent appraisal to support your case. Follow the Board of Revision’s posted forms and deadlines closely.
Buyer and seller checklists
If you are buying
- Get the latest tax bill and the Auditor parcel report.
- Confirm school district, current levies, and any special assessments.
- Ask if the seller receives credits, rollbacks, or abatements that may not transfer.
- Review how taxes will be prorated in the contract and whether your lender will escrow.
If you are selling
- Provide buyers with your latest tax bill and the Auditor parcel report.
- Disclose any special assessments or abatements and note expiration dates.
- Keep records handy in case buyers ask how your taxes were calculated.
When you understand assessed value, millage, and where to find official data, you can plan your budget with more confidence and avoid surprises at closing. If you want help reading a tax bill or estimating a specific address, reach out to Rob Matney for practical, local guidance.
FAQs
How to find the exact property tax for a Columbus home
- Search the address on the Franklin County Auditor site and review the most recent bill or payment history on the Treasurer’s pages.
Whether taxes change to the sale price after you buy
- Not automatically; the bill is based on the assessed value on record for that tax year, and the Auditor may update values during scheduled reappraisals or after sales.
If Columbus homeowners also pay city income tax in addition to property tax
- Yes, Columbus has a municipal income tax that is separate from property taxes; check the City of Columbus for current information.
Why taxes can rise even if your home value stays the same
- Total taxes can increase if new levies pass, if your district’s millage changes, or if special assessments are added, even without a change in assessed value.
Where to check levy and ballot history for your parcel
- Start with your Auditor parcel page for levies that apply, and confirm recent ballot measures with your school district and county election resources.
