North Columbus News

The Property Tax Working Group, established by Governor Mike DeWine, has released a report detailing recommendations for property tax relief in Ohio. The release follows ongoing legislative attention to rising property taxes and comes after several REALTOR-supported reforms were removed from the state budget earlier this year.

Ohio REALTORS have played an active role in the debate over property tax policy, participating with the Ohio Taxpayer Protection Coalition and engaging directly with lawmakers. "While we were disappointed to see key reforms removed from the final version of House Bill 96, we’ve remained committed to advancing practical, homeowner-focused solutions," Ohio REALTORS stated.

The working group's report outlines a series of proposals intended to balance tax relief with stable local funding. Among the recommendations are refining county commission authority over levies, capping carryover balances for taxing districts, phasing out certain types of levies, increasing oversight on non-elected board levies, and closing loopholes involving LLC-owned real estate.

Other suggested measures include supporting legislation that would cap school district revenue growth tied to inflation and providing targeted tax credits for senior and disabled homeowners based on annual increases rather than cumulative growth. The group also calls for clearer ballot language on levies, stricter limits on emergency levies, improved penalty policies for overdue taxes affecting qualifying homeowners, and a deferral program allowing eligible seniors to postpone payment of property taxes.

Additional proposals involve regular reviews of tax exemptions, restructuring reappraisal schedules to avoid regional spikes in assessments, giving school districts veto power over certain residential abatement proposals, limiting eligibility for residential stability zones designed for longtime low-income seniors, and forming a government efficiency group to study service consolidation across jurisdictions.

The recommendations also highlight the need for continued legislative focus on housing supply shortages as part of broader efforts toward long-term property tax relief. There is an emphasis on preventing abuse of property tax credits and expanding eligibility thresholds for existing exemptions.

With approximately 30 bills related to property tax reform introduced this session in the Legislature, these findings are expected to prompt further discussion among lawmakers. "These recommendations mark a critical step in keeping property tax reform moving forward. While not all ideas align perfectly with previous REALTOR-backed proposals, many reflect the core goals we’ve been fighting for: transparency, fairness, and relief for homeowners," Ohio REALTORS said.

The General Assembly will review the working group's suggestions before deciding which measures may advance as legislation. Ohio REALTORS plans ongoing engagement with policymakers throughout this process.

For more details or access to the full report by the Property Tax Working Group visit Property Tax Working Group.