AppealDesk

Cuyahoga County Property Tax Appeal — Ohio

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Cuyahoga County is Ohio's most populous county, home to Cleveland as its county seat and containing 55 cities throughout its territory. The county has the highest property taxes in Ohio with an effective tax rate of 1.80% to 1.93%, significantly above the national median. With a median home value of $137,200 to $212,700 and median annual property tax bills ranging from $2,649 to $3,822, residents pay among the highest property taxes in the United States, ranking 241st out of 3,143 counties nationwide. The average yearly property tax paid represents about 4.45% of residents' median income.

Notable cities: Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Strongsville

Median Home

$137,200

Tax Rate

1.93%

Annual Tax

$2,649

Population

1.2 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: March 31, 2026

This deadline is set by Ohio Revised Code 5715.19. There are no extensions or exceptions to this deadline.

Property in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Cuyahoga County Assesses Property

35%of market value

Assessed by: Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer

Assessment cycle: triennial

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically by mid-April)

In Ohio, only 35% of a property's market value is taxable by law. This means if your home's market value is $137,200 (the county median), at Ohio's 35% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $48,020, resulting in approximately $2,649 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.93%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Revision. The hearing is your opportunity to testify about why the Appraisal Department incorrectly valued your property. Hearing officers may ask questions about your property that only you can answer.

1

Step 1: Look up your property to verify current market value, note the tax year and lien date (value as of January 1)

2

Step 2: Gather evidence such as recent sale documentation, professional appraisal, comparable sales, or repair estimates showing the county overvalued your property

3

Step 3: File complaint online at https://cuyahogacounty.gov/bor (preferred method) or complete DTE Form 1 with notarization for other filing methods

4

Step 4: Attend your scheduled hearing (in-person, Zoom, or phone). Bring multiple copies of evidence and be concise in explaining why the county's value is too high

5

Step 5: Receive BOR decision by mail. If granted, the Fiscal Officer updates your value and Treasurer adjusts your tax bill or issues refund/credit

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Step 6: If denied or partially granted, you may appeal to Ohio Board of Tax Appeals (free) or Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas ($250 fee) within 30 days of decision

Required form: DTE Form 1 (Complaint Against the Valuation of Real Property)

Filing Methods

online:E-file at https://cuyahogacounty.gov/bor with just a valid email address and phone number. Takes less than 10 minutes and bypasses notary requirement. Available 24/7 during filing period.
mail:Cuyahoga County Board of Revision, 2079 East 9th Street, Ste. 2-100, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Must be received by March 31, 2026 or have USPS postmark of March 31 or earlier.
in-person:File in person at 2079 E. 9th St., 2nd Floor, Cleveland, OH 44115. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays).
email:Email complaint form to borinfo@https://cuyahogacounty.gov

Evidence to Bring

Recent sale of propertyProperty appraisal report (within 36 months)Comparable salesPhotographs showing structural damageContractor estimates for repairs

Cuyahoga County Assessor Contact

Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer

Phone: (216) 443-7010

Address: 1219 Ontario Avenue, Cuyahoga County Administration Building, Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Website: https://cuyahogacounty.gov/fiscal-officer

Online Portal: https://cuyahogacounty.gov/bor

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Cuyahoga County

Homestead Exemption

$25,000 of market value

Reduces property tax burden for qualified senior citizens, permanently and totally disabled homeowners, disabled veterans and surviving spouses of public service officers killed in the line of duty by exempting $25,000 of market value from all local property taxes

Eligibility: Age 65+ OR permanently/totally disabled OR 100% disabled veteran OR surviving spouse of public service officer killed in line of duty. For 2024, Ohio Adjusted Gross Income must be $38,600 or less (increasing to $40,000 for 2026)Deadline: December 31st annually

Enhanced Homestead Exemption for Disabled Veterans

$52,300 of market value (annually adjusted for inflation)

Provides enhanced property tax relief for veterans with 100% service-connected disability rating

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability for service-connected disabilities. No income limit applies.Deadline: December 31st annually

Official Resources

Cuyahoga County Board of Revision →

Official website for filing property tax appeals, accessing forms, and getting information about the appeal process and deadlines.

Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer - Property Search →

Search for property information, view tax assessments, and access property records for any parcel in Cuyahoga County.

Ohio Board of Tax Appeals →

State-level appeal option if you disagree with the County Board of Revision decision - file appeals free of charge.

Cuyahoga County Homestead Exemption Application →

Apply for property tax exemptions for seniors, disabled persons, and qualifying veterans to reduce your tax burden.

Check Your Cuyahoga County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Cuyahoga County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Cuyahoga County?
The deadline to file a property tax appeal in Cuyahoga County is March 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. This is a firm deadline set by Ohio Revised Code with no extensions or exceptions allowed. Your complaint must either be received by the Board of Revision by this deadline or bear a United States Postal Service postmark of March 31, 2026 or earlier. Private company postmarks like FedEx or UPS are not accepted for determining the filing date.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Cuyahoga County online?
Filing online is the preferred method and is free and easy. Visit https://cuyahogacounty.gov/bor and e-file your complaint using just a valid email address and phone number. The process typically takes less than 10 minutes and bypasses the notary requirement that paper forms need. The online portal is available 24/7 during the filing period from January 1 through March 31, and you'll receive a confirmation email immediately after filing with a PDF copy of your complaint.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Cuyahoga County?
The Homestead Exemption in Cuyahoga County shields up to $25,000 of your home's market value from all local property taxes. For example, if your home is valued at $100,000, it will be taxed as if it were valued at $75,000. On average, qualified homeowners save approximately $400 per year through this exemption. To qualify, you must be 65 or older, permanently disabled, or meet other specific criteria, and your 2024 Ohio Adjusted Gross Income must be $38,600 or less (increasing to $40,000 for 2026).
What happens at a Board of Revision hearing in Cuyahoga County?
Board of Revision hearings can be conducted in-person, by Zoom, or by phone. This is your opportunity to testify about why you believe the Appraisal Department incorrectly valued your property. You should bring multiple copies of your evidence and be prepared to concisely explain why the county's value is too high and what value your evidence supports. Hearing officers will likely ask questions about your property that only you can answer. The school district may also attend and ask questions, as they have an interest in property values for funding purposes.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Cuyahoga County?
Property tax savings through appeals vary based on your specific situation and evidence. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, paying an average of $1,346 too much in property taxes yearly. In Cuyahoga County, with a median home value of $137,200 and an effective tax rate of 1.93% (resulting in $2,649 median annual taxes), even a modest reduction in assessed value can lead to significant savings. The actual amount depends on how much you can prove your property was overvalued compared to the county's assessment.
What evidence do I need for a Cuyahoga County property tax appeal?
The strongest evidence for a property tax appeal is a recent sale of your property for less than the county's estimated value - this is often considered a 'slam dunk' unless purchased through foreclosure or from a family member. Other strong evidence includes a professional property appraisal report from within the last 36 months, comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, photographs showing structural damage, and certified contractor estimates for needed repairs. You don't need to submit evidence when filing your complaint; evidence can be submitted up to 7 business days before your scheduled hearing.
Can I appeal my Cuyahoga County property tax assessment if I miss the March 31 deadline?
No, there are absolutely no extensions or exceptions to the March 31 deadline for formal property tax appeals, as this is set by Ohio Revised Code 5715.19. If you miss this deadline, you must wait until the following year's filing period (January 1 - March 31) to file a complaint. However, Cuyahoga County does offer an informal complaint process through the Fiscal Office's Appraisal Department, typically with an August 30 deadline, where property owners can contest their valuation. If unsuccessful in the informal process, you can then file a formal complaint during the next regular filing period.
What are the free informational sessions offered by Cuyahoga County for property tax appeals?
The Board of Revision conducts free informational sessions to help property owners understand how to contest property values. Representatives from the BOR attend these events to answer questions and assist with form completion and filing. The 2026 sessions are scheduled for: January 28 at Brook Park Community Center (6-8pm), February 11 at Collinwood Recreation Center (6-8pm), February 18 at Gunning Recreation Center (6-8pm), and March 11 at Garfield Heights Civic Center (6-8pm). These sessions provide valuable guidance on the appeal process and what evidence to gather.

For state-wide appeal information including Ohio's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Ohio Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Ohio Counties

Franklin County (Columbus)Hamilton County (Cincinnati)Montgomery County (Dayton)Summit County (Akron)
← All Ohio property tax appeal info

Sources: https://cuyahogacounty.gov/bor | https://smartasset.com/taxes/ohio-property-tax-calculator | https://www.tax-rates.org/ohio/cuyahoga_county_property_tax | https://cuyahogacounty.gov/fiscal-officer | https://cuyahogacounty.gov/fiscal-officer/departments/real-property/homestead-exemption

Last verified: 2026-02-15