How Much Can Property Taxes Increase in Ohio?

Ohio's property tax system confuses even long-time homeowners. Your property value might jump 20% or 30% during reappraisal, but your tax bill might only increase 5-10%. That's because of HB 920, a 1976 law that fundamentally changed how property taxes work in Ohio.

Here's everything you need to know about Ohio's unique approach to property tax increases.

Understanding Ohio's HB 920 System

House Bill 920 creates what's called "tax reduction factors." When property values increase, the tax rates on voted levies automatically decrease to ensure the levy collects only the amount originally approved by voters.

For example: If voters approved a 5-mill levy to raise $10 million in 2010, that levy still only collects $10 million in 2026—even if property values doubled. The effective millage rate drops as values rise.

This applies to:

• School district operating levies
• County levies
• Municipal levies
• Township levies
• Special district levies

What Can Increase: Inside Millage

Not all property taxes are frozen by HB 920. "Inside millage" (also called unvoted millage) does increase with property values. This includes:

• 10 mills maximum that can be levied without voter approval
• Typically split between counties, townships, schools, and municipalities
• Often around 4-6 mills for most properties

Additionally, these items increase with property values:

• Bond levies — Debt service for construction projects
• New levies — Any levy passed after your last valuation
• Emergency levies — Temporary levies up to 5 years

Real-World Example: Columbus Homeowner

Let's look at a typical Columbus home to understand how this works:

Despite the 30% property value increase, the tax bill only increased about 8% because the reduction factors lowered the effective rate on most levies.

Ohio's Reassessment Schedule

Ohio law requires:

• Reappraisal every 6 years — Complete review of all properties
• Update every 3 years — Market adjustment between reappraisals

During a reappraisal year, it's common to see assessment increases of 20-40% in hot markets. But remember: HB 920 cushions the impact on your tax bill.

Ohio Property Tax Exemptions

Ohio offers several exemptions that can limit your tax increases:

Other exemptions include:

• Veteran exemptions — Up to $50,000 for disabled veterans
• Owner-occupancy credit — 2.5% reduction for owner-occupied homes
• Agricultural use valuation — For qualifying farmland

How Ohio Compares to Other States

Ohio's HB 920 system is unique. Here's how it compares:

While other states cap assessment increases, Ohio caps revenue increases through automatic rate reductions. It's a fundamentally different approach that achieves similar taxpayer protection.

When to Appeal Your Ohio Property Assessment

Even with HB 920 protection, you should still appeal if your property is overassessed. Why? Because:

• Inside millage and bond levies still increase with value
• New levies will be calculated on your assessed value
• An overassessment compounds over time
• Future home sales may be affected by high assessments

Ohio property owners can file complaints with their County Board of Revision between January 1 and March 31 following a reappraisal or update year. Check if you're overassessed to see if an appeal makes sense.

Key Takeaways for Ohio Homeowners

• No assessment caps — Your property value can increase unlimited amounts
• HB 920 protection — Most tax rates automatically decrease as values rise
• Limited increases — Only inside millage and bonds increase with value
• Reassessment cycle — Every 3 years (alternating between updates and reappraisals)
• Appeal rights — File by March 31 following reassessment
• Exemptions available — Homestead, veteran, and owner-occupancy savings

Ohio's system protects taxpayers differently than other states, but the protection is real. While your neighbors in Michigan or Pennsylvania might face unlimited tax increases, Ohio's HB 920 ensures your tax bill grows slowly even when property values soar.