Delaware County Property Tax Appeal, Ohio

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 25, 2026

Delaware County is located in central Ohio, just 25 miles north of Columbus, with a 2026 population of approximately 234,800 residents. The county seat is the City of Delaware, and major cities include Powell, Sunbury, and portions of Columbus, Dublin, and Westerville. Delaware County has one of the highest property tax burdens in Ohio, with an effective tax rate of 1.60% compared to the state average of 1.62% and the national median of 0.92%. The county's median home value of $445,500 is significantly higher than the state median of $134,600, reflecting its status as one of Ohio's wealthiest counties.

Notable cities: Delaware, Powell, Dublin, Westerville, Sunbury

Median Home

$445,500

Tax Rate

1.60%

Annual Tax

$7,132

Population

234,800

On the typical Delaware County home, valued near $445,500 at the county’s effective tax rate of 1.60%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: March 31, 2026

This year's appeal window has passed in most of Ohio. Order now and we re-run your numbers free when the window reopens, so your evidence is ready the day your next notice lands.

Complaints must be filed with the Delaware County Board of Revision between January 2 and March 31, 2026 for tax year 2025 values. If filing by mail, the complaint must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2026.

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Ohio residential street of family homes. Delaware County appeal guide.

How Delaware County Assesses Property

35%of market value

Assessed by: Delaware County Auditor

Assessment cycle: Triennial update (every 3 years) with sexennial reappraisal (every 6 years)

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically April-May)

In Ohio, all residential property is assessed at 35% of its fair market value, as established by the Ohio Tax Commissioner. If your home has a market value of $445,500 (Delaware County's median), your assessed value would be $155,925 ($445,500 x 0.35). At Delaware County's effective tax rate of 1.60%, this would result in approximately $7,132 in annual property taxes. Delaware County conducts a triennial update every three years using statistical analysis of recent sales data, with full sexennial reappraisals every six years that include physical inspection of each parcel.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Revision. The Delaware County Board of Revision consists of the County Auditor, County Treasurer, and a County Commissioner (or their representatives). All hearing and decision letters will be sent to your email address (if provided on the complaint form) or via certified mail. Continuances are not granted simply because parties are not ready, and if you fail to appear, the BOR will decide based on submitted evidence.

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Step 1: Consider an informal review with the Delaware County Auditor's office before filing a formal appeal. Contact them at 740-833-2900 to discuss your property value concerns and potentially resolve issues without a formal hearing.

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Step 2: Gather evidence to support your appeal, including recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, a professional appraisal (if available), photographs showing property condition issues, and repair estimates for any damage or needed improvements.

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Step 3: Complete DTE Form 1 (Property Valuation Complaint) available at https://auditor.co.delaware.oh.us/board-of-revision/ or by calling 740-833-2900. Provide your opinion of market value and explanation for why the auditor's value is incorrect.

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Step 4: File your complaint with the Delaware County Board of Revision by March 31, 2026 via mail (postmarked by deadline), in-person, email (auditor@co.delaware.oh.us), or fax (740-833-2899). Include all supporting documentation with your initial filing.

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Step 5: Attend your Board of Revision hearing when scheduled. The BOR will send notice via email (if provided) or certified mail. Present your evidence professionally and be prepared to answer questions. The three-member board (County Auditor, County Treasurer, and County Commissioner representative) will review all evidence and issue a decision.

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Step 6: If you disagree with the Board of Revision's decision, you may appeal to either the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals or the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of the decision date by filing DTE Form 4.

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Step 7: As a final option, if still dissatisfied after the state board or court review, you may pursue further appeals through the appropriate appellate court system.

Required form: Property Valuation Complaint (DTE Form 1)

Filing Methods

in-person:145 N Union St, 1st floor, Delaware, Ohio 43015
mail:145 N Union St, 1st floor, Delaware, Ohio 43015 (must be postmarked by March 31, 2026)
email:auditor@co.delaware.oh.us
fax:1-740-833-2899

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhoodProfessional appraisal report (if available)Photographs showing property condition, damage, or defectsRepair estimates or contractor bids for needed improvementsDocumentation of any factors negatively affecting property value

Delaware County Assessor Contact

Delaware County Auditor

Phone: 740-833-2900

Address: 145 N. Union St., 1st Floor, Delaware, OH 43015

Website: https://auditor.co.delaware.oh.us/

Online Portal: https://delaware-auditor-ohio.manatron.com/

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Tax Exemptions in Delaware County

Homestead Exemption (Age 65+ or Disabled)

$29,000 market value exemption (approximately $160-$250 annual savings depending on local rates)

Reduces the taxable value of your primary residence by exempting $29,000 of market value from taxation. Available to homeowners age 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled individuals who own and occupy their home as of January 1.

Eligibility: Must be age 65+ or permanently/totally disabled, own and occupy home as primary residence as of January 1, and have Modified Ohio Adjusted Gross Income of $40,000 or less for tax year 2025 (or $41,000 for tax year 2026). Those who received the exemption in 2013 are grandfathered and exempt from income limits.Deadline: First-time applicants should apply as soon as possible; exemption is portable and continues if you move to another Ohio home

Enhanced Homestead Exemption (100% Disabled Veterans)

$58,000 market value exemption for tax year 2026 (approximately $400-$600 annual savings depending on local rates)

Provides an enhanced property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating or their surviving spouses. This is double the standard homestead exemption amount.

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% VA disability rating (or 100% based on individual unemployability), or surviving spouses of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. No income limit required for disabled veterans.Deadline: Apply with the Delaware County Auditor; exemption continues once granted

Owner-Occupancy Credit

2.5% reduction of taxable value

A general property tax reduction available to all homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence, providing a modest reduction in taxable value.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence as of January 1 of the tax yearDeadline: File with Delaware County Auditor by December 31 of the year you become eligible

Delaware County Appeal Packet · $49

Comparable sales evidence, county-specific filing guide, and professional cover letter. Enter your address to get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Delaware County for 2026?
The deadline to file a property tax appeal with the Delaware County Board of Revision is March 31, 2026 for tax year 2025 values. Complaints are accepted beginning January 2, 2026. If you file by mail, your complaint must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2026. You can also file in person at 145 N Union St (1st floor) in Delaware, by email to auditor@co.delaware.oh.us, or by fax to 740-833-2899. Missing this deadline means you must wait until the next filing period to appeal your property value.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Delaware County?
To file a property tax appeal in Delaware County, you must complete DTE Form 1 (Property Valuation Complaint) and submit it to the Board of Revision by March 31, 2026. The form is available at https://auditor.co.delaware.oh.us/board-of-revision/ or by calling 740-833-2900. You can file in person at 145 N Union St (1st floor), by mail (postmarked by deadline), email (auditor@co.delaware.oh.us), or fax (740-833-2899). Include all supporting evidence such as comparable sales, appraisals, and photographs with your initial filing. Before filing a formal appeal, consider requesting an informal review with the Auditor's office to potentially resolve issues without a hearing.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Delaware County?
The standard homestead exemption in Delaware County removes $29,000 of your home's market value from taxation, which translates to approximately $160-$250 in annual property tax savings at the county's effective rate. The enhanced exemption for 100% disabled veterans is worth $58,000 in market value reduction, providing approximately $400-$600 in annual savings. To qualify for the standard exemption, you must be age 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled, own and occupy your home as your primary residence, and have Modified Ohio Adjusted Gross Income of $40,000 or less for tax year 2025 ($41,000 for tax year 2026). Veterans with 100% VA disability ratings qualify for the enhanced exemption with no income limits.
What happens at a Delaware County Board of Revision hearing?
At a Delaware County Board of Revision hearing, you will present your case to a three-member panel consisting of representatives from the County Auditor, County Treasurer, and Board of County Commissioners. You will have an opportunity to present evidence supporting your opinion of your property's value, including comparable sales, appraisals, photographs, and documentation of property defects or damage. The Board reviews property values only, not tax amounts. After considering all evidence presented by both you and the county, the Board has authority to increase, decrease, or maintain your property's assessed value. You will receive the Board's decision via email (if provided) or certified mail. If you disagree with the decision, you have 30 days to appeal to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals or Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Delaware County?
The amount you can save by appealing your property taxes in Delaware County depends on how much your assessed value is reduced. With Delaware County's effective tax rate of 1.60%, every $10,000 reduction in market value (or $3,500 in assessed value at the 35% assessment ratio) results in approximately $160 in annual tax savings. For example, if you successfully appeal and reduce your home's value from $450,000 to $400,000, you would save approximately $800 per year in property taxes. There is no limit to how much your property value can be reduced through an appeal if you provide sufficient evidence. However, keep in mind the Board also has authority to increase your value if evidence supports a higher valuation.
What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in Delaware County?
For a successful property tax appeal in Delaware County, you need concrete evidence that your property's market value is lower than the county's assessment. The most compelling evidence includes recent comparable sales (within the past 6-12 months) of similar properties in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessed value, adjusted for differences in size, condition, and features. A professional appraisal conducted near the January 1 tax lien date is very persuasive. Photographs documenting property condition issues, damage, or needed repairs are helpful, along with contractor estimates for repair costs. You should also provide any documentation of factors that negatively impact value such as flooding, environmental issues, or adverse location factors. Ohio law requires you to present all evidence in your possession to the Board of Revision, as evidence not presented typically cannot be introduced on appeal.
When will I receive my 2026 property assessment notice in Delaware County?
Delaware County conducted a triennial update for tax year 2026, with assessment notices typically mailed in the spring (April-May) of 2026. The 2026 triennial update is a statistical adjustment based on market trends and sales data from the previous three years, rather than a full reappraisal with physical inspections. Property owners should watch for notices from the Delaware County Auditor in their mail during this period. Once you receive your notice, you have until March 31 of the following year to file an appeal if you believe the assessed value is too high. You can also check your current property value online anytime at https://delaware-auditor-ohio.manatron.com/.
Can I appeal my Delaware County property taxes if I already appealed three years ago?
In Delaware County, property owners may generally file a Board of Revision complaint once every three years. However, you can file another complaint before three years have passed if specific circumstances have changed, such as physical damage to your property, completion of a reappraisal or triennial update by the county, discovery of a factual error in your property characteristics, or if new comparable sales evidence has emerged that wasn't available during your previous appeal. When filing a subsequent complaint within the three-year period, you must check the applicable boxes on DTE Form 1 explaining which exception applies and provide detailed explanation on an attached sheet. The Board of Revision has jurisdiction only for the current tax year (2025 values for the 2026 filing period), and no prior years will be considered.

Official Resources

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

Sources: https://auditor.co.delaware.oh.us/board-of-revision/ | https://propertytaxbystate.com/ohio/delaware-county | https://co.delaware.oh.us/2026/01/16/statement-from-the-delaware-county-auditor-on-ohio-property-tax-reform/ | https://auditor.co.delaware.oh.us/homestead/ | https://ballotpedia.org/Delaware_County,_Ohio

Last verified: 2026-07-25