Franklin County Property Tax Appeal — Ohio

Rob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Franklin County is Ohio's largest county containing the state capital Columbus and experiencing a 41% increase in home values during the 2023 reappraisal. With a median home value of $155,300 and an effective tax rate of 1.67%, the typical homeowner pays $2,592 annually in property taxes. This is one of the highest property tax burdens in the United States, ranking 252nd of 3,143 counties nationwide. The national median property tax rate is 1.02% with a median bill of $2,400, making Franklin County's tax burden significantly higher than average.

Notable cities: Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Grove City, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Hilliard

Median Home

$155,300

Tax Rate

1.67%

Annual Tax

$2,592

Population

1.3 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: March 31 of the following tax year

You have until March 31 of the following tax year to file a complaint with the Board of Revision contesting the current year's tax valuation. The County Auditor must receive your complaint on or before March 31.

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

How Franklin County Assesses Property

35%of market value

Assessed by: Franklin County Auditor

Assessment cycle: triennial

Notices typically mailed: June

In Franklin County, assessed value is calculated by multiplying market value by the county's 35% assessment ratio. If your home's market value is $155,300 (the county median), at Ohio's 35% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $54,355, resulting in approximately $2,592 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.67%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Revision. A formal administrative appeal that includes a scheduled hearing before an impartial panel. The assessor may request a field inspection or updated documents before making a decision.

Step 1: File an informal appeal with the Real Estate Assessors by submitting evidence such as recent sales, appraisal reports, or photos of condition issues

Step 2: Meet with the auditor's office from July through September if you disagree with the proposed value

Step 3: Submit your formal complaint to the Board of Revision within 30 days of receiving the notice of valuation change

Step 4: Attend the scheduled hearing before the Board of Revision panel where you can present evidence and speak on record

Step 5: If unsatisfied with the Board of Revision decision, appeal to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals or Court of Common Pleas

Required form: Complaint form (DTE Form 1)

Filing Methods

online:Franklin County's online portal

mail:Franklin County Board of Revision, 373 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215

in-person:373 South High Street, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH

Evidence to Bring

Recent sales comparisonsAppraisal reportsPhotos of condition issuesRepair estimatesComparable property values

Franklin County Assessor Contact

Franklin County Auditor's Office

Phone: (614) 462-4663

Address: 373 South High Street, 21st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215

Website: https://www.franklincountyauditor.com/

Online Portal: https://property.franklincountyauditor.com/

Tax Exemptions in Franklin County

Homestead Exemption

$25,000

Exempts up to $25,000 of home value from taxation for eligible seniors and disabled homeowners

Eligibility: Homeowners who are 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, and meet income requirementsDeadline: December 31

Disabled Veteran Exemption

$50,000

Enhanced homestead exemption for disabled veterans

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% disability rating for service-connected disabilities who own and occupy the propertyDeadline: December 31

Owner-Occupied Tax Reduction

2.5% reduction

Reduction for homeowners living in their principal place of residence

Eligibility: All homeowners who occupy their property as primary residenceDeadline: Must file with county auditor

Official Resources

Franklin County Auditor Website →

Official county auditor site with property search, tax rates, and appeal information

Franklin County Board of Revision →

File property tax appeals and access Board of Revision forms and procedures

Franklin County Property Search →

Search property values, tax bills, and assessment information online

Homestead Exemption Application →

Apply for property tax exemptions including homestead and senior exemptions

Franklin County Appeal Statistics

Success Rate

40%

Check Your Franklin County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Franklin County?

The deadline to appeal your property taxes in Franklin County is March 31 of the following tax year. The County Auditor must receive your complaint on or before March 31. This means if you're appealing your 2026 property valuation, you must file by March 31, 2027. Keep in mind that property tax appeals are generally only accepted in a 1-3 month window each year, so it's crucial not to miss this deadline.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Franklin County online?

Franklin County allows homeowners to submit appeals through their online portal. You'll need to access the Franklin County Auditor's website and navigate to the Board of Revision section. When filing, you'll need to submit evidence such as recent sales comparisons, appraisal reports, or photos showing property condition issues. The online submission must be completed within 30 days of receiving your notice of valuation change, though the final deadline for all appeals remains March 31.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Franklin County?

In Franklin County, the standard homestead exemption reduces property taxes by exempting up to $25,000 of your home's value from taxation. This generally results in a property tax reduction that falls within the $400-$800 range per year. Disabled veterans qualify for an enhanced exemption of up to $50,000. To qualify, your household income must be less than $40,000 per year, and you must be either 65 or older or permanently disabled.

What happens at a Board of Revision hearing in Franklin County?

At a Franklin County Board of Revision hearing, you'll participate in a formal administrative appeal before an impartial panel. During the hearing, property owners can present evidence and speak on record about why their property value should be reduced. The assessor may have requested a field inspection or additional documents before the hearing. According to the auditor's office, about 40% of property value challenge cases result in changes, particularly when owners provide concrete evidence beyond simply stating the value is wrong.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Franklin County?

The amount you can save through a successful property tax appeal depends on how much your property value is reduced. With Franklin County's average effective tax rate of 1.67%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $167 annually. The auditor reports that 40% of property owners who go through the review process receive value adjustments. For example, if your property value is reduced by $30,000, you would save about $501 per year in property taxes at the county's average rate.

What evidence do I need for a Franklin County property tax appeal?

For a Franklin County property tax appeal, you'll need evidence such as recent sales data, professional appraisal reports, or photographs documenting condition issues with your property. The auditor recommends searching for your property value online and comparing it with similar houses in your neighborhood, especially in production-build neighborhoods where homes are similar. Simply stating 'I think my value is wrong' without supporting documentation will make it hard to justify a change. Include repair estimates for any deferred maintenance and documentation of any factors that negatively impact your property's value.

When are property values reassessed in Franklin County?

Ohio law requires Franklin County to revalue all real property every six years with an update at the three-year midpoint. The triennial property value update process involves studying and analyzing sales from the past three years to determine market value changes. Assessment notices are typically mailed to property owners in June. If you disagree with your new value, you can meet with the auditor's office from July through September before values are finalized in December.

How do I apply for property tax exemptions in Franklin County?

Applications for the homestead exemption must be filed on or before December 31 in the tax year for which the credit is sought. Once approved, you don't need to reapply each year. In Franklin County, you can access the forms online through the county auditor's website. You'll need to fill out form DTE105A and file the original form with your ink signature at the county auditor's office. If applying based on age, provide proof like a driver's license; if based on disability, get the Auditor's Certificate of Disability signed by your doctor.

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

Cuyahoga County (Cleveland)Hamilton County (Cincinnati)Montgomery County (Dayton)Summit County (Akron)

← All Ohio property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/franklin-county/franklin-county-auditor-launches-website-for-property-value-update/ | https://ruzicholaw.com/appeal-property-tax-valuation/ | http://www.tax-rates.org/ohio/franklin_county_property_tax | https://smartasset.com/taxes/ohio-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/ohio/franklin-county

Last verified: 2026-02-15