Washington County Property Tax Appeal — Ohio

Rob Hartley·Updated April 3, 2026

Washington County is located in southeastern Ohio along the Ohio River, with Marietta serving as the county seat. With a population of approximately 59,711 as of the 2020 census, it is the oldest county in the state, named after George Washington. Property tax appeals are particularly important here due to the county's median home value of $106,255, which is significantly below the national median, yet homeowners still face an effective tax rate of 1.22%, which is above the national median of 1.02%. The median annual property tax bill is approximately $1,790, which is below the national median of $2,400, but the higher effective rate means homeowners benefit substantially from successful appeals.

Notable cities: Marietta, Belpre, Beverly

Median Home

$106,255

Tax Rate

1.22%

Annual Tax

$1,790

Population

59,711

2026 Appeal Deadline: March 31, 2026

For appealing your 2025 property tax assessment (taxes payable in 2026), you must file a complaint with the Board of Revision by March 31, 2026. This deadline is mandated by Ohio Revised Code 5715.19 and applies to all 88 Ohio counties. Late filings are not accepted, and there are no extensions. The complaint must be postmarked by March 31, 2026 if mailed (private meter postmarks are not valid), or received by the Auditor's office by the deadline.

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

How Washington County Assesses Property

35%of market value

Assessed by: Washington County Auditor's Office

Assessment cycle: sexennial with triennial updates

Notices typically mailed: Spring (mid-April)

In Washington County, property taxes are calculated based on assessed value, not market value. Ohio law requires properties to be assessed at 35% of their market value. For example, if your home's market value is $106,255 (the county median), at Ohio's 35% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $37,189, resulting in approximately $1,790 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 1.22%. Assessment notices are mailed in the spring each year, typically by mid-April, and include both market value and assessed value.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Revision. The Board of Revision hearing is a quasi-judicial proceeding where you present evidence supporting your opinion of your property's market value. The Board consists of three members: the County Auditor, County Treasurer, and President of the Board of Commissioners, or their representatives. You do not need an attorney, but you must provide compelling evidence such as recent comparable sales data.

Step 1: Before filing a formal appeal, contact the Washington County Auditor's Office at(740) 373-6623 Ext. 2142 for an informal discussion about your property valuation. Many issues can be resolved at this stage if there are factual errors in your property record.

Step 2: Obtain DTE Form 1 (Complaint Against the Valuation of Real Property) by calling the Auditor's Office at(740) 373-6623 or visiting the office at 205 Putnam Street in Marietta. Read all instructions carefully as incomplete forms may be automatically dismissed.

Step 3: Complete the DTE Form 1 with your property information, opinion of value, and attach supporting documentation such as recent comparable sales (within the past year), professional appraisal reports, photographs showing property condition issues, or repair estimates. The form must be signed and notarized.

Step 4: File your completed and notarized complaint with the Washington County Board of Revision by mail (postmarked by March 31, 2026), in-person (by 4:30 PM on March 31, 2026), or contact the office about additional filing options. There is no fee to file.

Step 5: The Board of Revision will schedule a hearing and notify you by certified mail at least 10 days in advance. At the hearing, present your evidence to the Board, which consists of the County Auditor, County Treasurer, and Board of Commissioners President (or their representatives).

Step 6: The Board of Revision will issue a written decision after your hearing. They have authority to raise, lower, or maintain your property value. You will receive notification of their decision in writing.

Step 7: If you disagree with the Board of Revision's decision, you may appeal to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals (BTA) or the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days of receiving the decision. These are formal legal proceedings that may benefit from legal representation.

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

Filing Methods

phone:Call the Washington County Auditor's Office at(740) 373-6623 to request a property tax appeal form

mail:Mail completed DTE Form 1 (notarized) to: Washington County Auditor, 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Must be postmarked by March 31, 2026

in-person:Deliver to Washington County Auditor's Office, 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750 by 4:30 PM on March 31, 2026

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (arms-length sales of similar properties within the past year)Professional appraisal report dated as close to the assessment date as possiblePhotographs documenting property condition issues, deferred maintenance, or defectsRepair estimates for needed work affecting property valueProperty record card showing characteristics the Auditor has on file (verify accuracy)

Washington County Assessor Contact

Washington County Auditor's Office

Phone: ((740) 373-6623

Address: 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750

Website: https://auditorwashingtoncountyohio.gov/

Online Portal: https://auditorwashingtoncountyohio.gov/Search

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (except legal holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Washington County

Homestead Exemption for Seniors and Disabled Persons

$25,000 reduction in market value (indexed annually for inflation)

Ohio's Homestead Exemption reduces property taxes for qualifying senior citizens (age 65+) and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans by exempting a portion of the home's market value from taxation.

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older by January 1 of the tax year, OR totally and permanently disabled, AND own and occupy the property as primary residence. Income limits apply: Ohio Adjusted Gross Income must be $41,000 or less for tax year 2026 (based on 2025 tax return). No income limit if you received the exemption prior to 2014.Deadline: December 31 annually. Applications for prior and current year accepted until December 31. Once approved, renewal applications are sent annually but you don't need to reapply unless circumstances change.

Owner Occupancy Credit (2.5% Rollback)

2.5% reduction on property tax bill

Automatic tax reduction for owner-occupied primary residences. This credit is applied directly to your tax bill and reduces your total property tax obligation.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as your primary residence. This is applied automatically if you qualify, but you should verify it appears on your tax bill.Deadline: Contact the Auditor's Office at(740) 373-6623 Ext. 2121 if you believe you qualify but are not receiving this reduction

10% Rollback

10% reduction in property taxes

All residential and agricultural properties receive an automatic 10% reduction in property taxes. This does not require an application.

Eligibility: All residential and agricultural properties automatically qualify. Commercial properties are not eligible.Deadline: Automatic - no application required

Disabled Veterans Exemption

Up to 100% exemption on primary residence

Veterans with 100% service-connected disability or receiving compensation at that rate may qualify for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence.

Eligibility: Must be a veteran with 100% service-connected disability rating or receiving full disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Property must be primary residence. No income limit applies.Deadline: December 31. Contact the Washington County Auditor's Office at(740) 373-6623 for application forms and additional information.

Official Resources

Washington County Auditor Official Website →

Access property search tools, tax information, exemption applications, and contact information for the Washington County Auditor's Office.

Washington County Property Search →

Search for property records, view assessments, and access parcel information for all properties in Washington County.

Ohio Department of Taxation - Property Tax Information →

State-level property tax information, forms, and guidance on exemptions and appeals throughout Ohio.

Washington County Official Website - Tax Information →

Information about property tax rates, assessment ratios, exemptions, and how to contact the Auditor's Office regarding property valuations.

Check Your Washington County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The deadline to file a property tax appeal in Washington County is March 31, 2026 for appealing your 2025 assessment (taxes payable in 2026). This deadline is set by Ohio Revised Code 5715.19 and applies statewide. Your complaint must be postmarked by March 31, 2026 if mailed, or received by the Washington County Auditor's Office by 4:30 PM on that date if hand-delivered. Late filings are not accepted under any circumstances, and there are no extensions to this deadline, so it's crucial to file early to avoid missing this window.

How does Washington County calculate my assessed value from market value?

Washington County assesses properties at 35% of their market value, as required by Ohio state law. For example, if your home has a market value of $106,255 (the county median), your assessed value would be $37,189 (35% of $106,255). Your property tax bill is then calculated by multiplying this assessed value by the local tax rate (expressed in mills). At Washington County's effective rate of approximately 1.22%, this would result in an annual tax bill of around $1,790. Your tax bill shows both the 100% market value and the 35% taxable (assessed) value.

What evidence do I need to file a successful property tax appeal in Washington County?

To file a successful appeal with the Washington County Board of Revision, you need compelling evidence that your property's market value is lower than the Auditor's assessment. The strongest evidence includes recent comparable sales of similar properties in your area sold within the past year in arms-length transactions (not foreclosures or distressed sales). You should also provide a professional appraisal if available, photographs documenting any property condition issues or deferred maintenance, and repair estimates for needed work. Additionally, verify your property record card for accuracy—errors in square footage, bedroom count, or other characteristics are common and easily corrected.

How much is the Homestead Exemption worth in Washington County?

The Homestead Exemption in Washington County reduces your taxable property value by $25,000 of market value for qualifying seniors (age 65+) and disabled homeowners. Using the county's 1.22% effective tax rate, this exemption saves approximately $305 per year in property taxes. To qualify for tax year 2026, your Ohio Adjusted Gross Income must be $41,000 or less based on your 2025 tax return, and you must own and occupy the home as your primary residence. The exemption amount is indexed annually for inflation. You must apply by December 31 at the Washington County Auditor's Office by calling(740) 373-6623 Ext. 2123.

What happens after I file my Board of Revision complaint in Washington County?

After you file your Board of Revision complaint by March 31, 2026, the Washington County Board of Revision will review your submission and schedule a hearing. You will receive notice of your hearing date by certified mail at least 10 days in advance. The hearing is held at the Auditor's Office and is presided over by the Board of Revision, which consists of the County Auditor, County Treasurer, and Board of Commissioners President or their representatives. You will have the opportunity to present your evidence and testimony. After the hearing, the Board will issue a written decision that can raise, lower, or maintain your property value. If you disagree with their decision, you have 30 days to appeal to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals or Court of Common Pleas.

Can I appeal my Washington County property taxes online?

While Washington County does not currently offer a dedicated online filing portal for Board of Revision appeals like some larger Ohio counties, you should contact the Washington County Auditor's Office at(740) 373-6623 to inquire about available filing methods for 2026. Traditional filing methods include calling to request DTE Form 1, completing and notarizing the form, and submitting it by mail to 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750, or delivering it in person by the March 31, 2026 deadline. Some Ohio counties have begun accepting electronic submissions, so it's worth confirming current options with the Auditor's office.

How often does Washington County reassess property values?

Washington County conducts a full revaluation of all real property every six years, as required by Ohio law. Between full revaluations, the Ohio Tax Commissioner typically orders a statistical adjustment (triennial update) at the three-year midpoint based on actual market sales in the county. This means property values are updated twice during each six-year cycle—once at the full revaluation and again at the triennial update. Assessment notices are mailed in the spring each year, typically by mid-April, showing both your property's market value and assessed value (35% of market value). You have from January 1 through March 31 each year to file a complaint if you believe your valuation is incorrect.

What is the difference between market value and assessed value on my Washington County tax bill?

Your Washington County property tax bill displays two values: market value and assessed value. Market value is the Auditor's estimate of what your property would sell for on the open market—essentially the fair market value. Assessed value is 35% of the market value and is the figure actually used to calculate your property taxes, as required by Ohio law. For example, if your property has a market value of $150,000, your assessed value would be $52,500 (35% of $150,000). When you file a Board of Revision appeal, you are challenging the market value assessment, which in turn affects your assessed value and tax bill.

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

Adams County (West Union)Allen County (Lima)Ashland County (Ashland)Ashtabula County (Jefferson)Athens County (Athens)Auglaize County (Wapakoneta)

← All Ohio property tax appeal info

Sources: https://auditorwashingtoncountyohio.gov/ | https://www.washingtongov.org/333/Tax-Increase-Explanation-Community-Tax-R | https://sdglegal.net/ohio-property-tax-deadline-2025/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/ohio/washington-county | https://auditorwashingtoncountyohio.gov/Forms/GetFile?fileId=3546

Last verified: 2026-04-03