Property taxes can often get confusing, especially if you recently relocated to a new place. It’s one of your biggest responsibilities related to buying a home, it isn’t always easy to determine how much you should budget for and how local taxes are even determined.
Luckily, Summit County Ohio property taxes are often simpler to navigate than you might expect. You simply need to know which agencies to contact and set reminders for all the relevant due dates.
To help make that as simple as possible, here’s a closer look at paying Summit County, Ohio, property tax and all the necessary info you need to know.
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Summit County Property Tax
Paying your Summit County property tax is a crucial part of owning a home in the community. Property taxes finance a variety of essential services and programs that many people rely on, including public schools, libraries, city and county governments, public safety departments, parks and recreational facilities, and social services.
The Treasurer Division of the Summit County Fiscal Office is responsible for collecting Summit County, Ohio, property taxes. In addition to collecting the taxes, the Fiscal Office is also responsible for:
- Safekeeping all collected funds
- Investing undisbursed funds
- Providing investment data to the County Investment Board
- Oversight of property owner complaints
- Approval of spending levies for schools, cities, townships, and villages
The Fiscal Office was formed through a series of mergers. In 1991, the Recorder’s Office merged with the Auditor’s Office, and in 2001, the Treasurer’s Office merged with the Auditor’s, creating the modern-day Summit County Fiscal Office. It still maintains four distinct divisions, including the Auditor, Recorder, Services, and Treasury divisions.
Summit County Auditor
The Auditor is the main Summit County Financial Officer and performs a number of roles related to managing the county’s finances and Summit County property tax, including preparing a budget, managing payroll, and overseeing payments.
They also play a critical role in the creation of Summit County Ohio property taxes, as they are responsible for assessing the market value of properties in the county through appraisals conducted every 6 years.
The Auditor is also responsible for collecting Summit County Ohio property taxes and distributing them to the appropriate districts. They also provide several services to taxpayers, such as the Summit County, Ohio, homestead exemption and owner-occupancy tax reductions.
Kristen K. Scalise, CPA, CFE, is the Summit County Auditor. Her office can be found within the Ohio Building at:
175 S. Main St., 3rd Floor
Akron, OH 44308
Their customer service number is 1-888-388-5613 or 330-643-2636 if you have any questions about Summit County property tax, which you can call with any inquiries from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Summit County Treasurer
The Summit County Treasurer is primarily responsible for collecting taxes in the county. Every year, their office issues Summit County Property Tax bills to over 270,000 homeowners across 74 tax districts.
They serve as the county’s banker, ensuring all collected tax funds are kept safe and investments are properly managed to generate revenue for the county’s general operations fund.
They play an essential role in the financial operations of the county and perform tasks such as:
- Cash and revenue management
- Investment oversight
- Financial reporting
- Collection of delinquent taxes
- Complaint oversight
Since the merger of the departments, all operations of the Summit County Fiscal Office are overseen by Kristen K. Scalise, including the Treasurer Division.
You can also find the Summit County Treasurer’s Office at:
175 South Main Street, 3rd Floor
Akron, OH 44308
Their customer service line is 1-888-388-5613 or 330-643-2588, and you can call them with any inquiries from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Summit County Property Tax Rates
The main thing you probably want to know is how much your Summit County property tax bill will be. Before you can figure out how much you can expect to pay, you need to understand how local property taxes work. The Summit County, Ohio tax rate can vary substantially depending on where in the county you live.
In Ohio, real estate taxes are based on the home’s assessed value and levied by local government entities. Although the Fiscal Office manages and collects taxes, they do not actually set the rates.
Summit County has 74 different tax districts subject to different tax authorities, including the County, school districts, cities or municipalities, townships, fire districts, and library districts. The exact Summit County property tax rates depend on the taxing authority to which you fall under.
Each tax authority has the power to set its own budgetary needs and place levies on a ballot for voter approval.
In Ohio, homes are taxed at 35% of the assessed value, set by the County Auditor. Your Summit County property tax bill is based on what are called “mills,” or $1 in taxes per $ 1,000 of assessed value. Mills are determined by the local tax authority where your home is located.
One thing to keep in mind when calculating your Summit County property tax rate is that the rate you pay is often reduced from the actual millage. Ohio laws, such as House Bill 920, have been enacted to prevent large tax spikes when property values rise. So even if your Summit County tax rate is 90 mills, your effective tax rate may be as low as 65.
Summit County property tax example:
Say your home was worth $400,000 and the full mill rate was 90 with an effective rate of 65 mills.
- The taxable value of your home would be $400,000 x 0.35 = $140,000
- Your Summit County property tax bill would be $140,000 x 65 / 1,000 = $9,100 per year
However, it can vary dramatically depending on where you live and what special districts you’re in. Therefore, be sure to research the typical mill rate in your area when you relocate.
Akron Property Tax
Akron is the biggest city in Summit County, and it’s also known for its affordable property values compared to the national average. So whether it’s your first home or it’s your 5th, you can expect an affordable cost of living and reasonable Summit County property tax.
Redfin data shows that the median price of homes for sale in Akron is $150,000. The typical effective Akron property tax rate is 1.69%.
Based on those numbers, the typical Akron, Ohio property tax bill is:
- $150,000 x 0.169 = $2,535
For the typical home in Akron, you can expect to pay about $ 2,500 in property taxes, although rates can vary from 1.41% to $1.88% depending on where you live in Akron.
When Are Property Taxes Due In Summit County, Ohio? – Due Dates & How to Pay Your Tax Bill
Another important question that may be on your mind is when are Summit County property taxes due? And how do you make a Summit County property tax payment?
Bills are sent out twice per year, and the Summit County property tax due date is typically the following month:
- The first is sent out in January and is due in February
- The second is sent in June and is due in July
Although note that Summit County property tax bills for manufactured homes tend to be sent out later.
You have a few different options when it comes to making a Summit County property tax payment.
- Stop by the Summit County assessor’s office in person at the 3rd Floor of the Ohio Building on 175 S. Main St., Akron.
- Mail the payment to the same address (must be postmarked by the due date).
- Online or by phone using an ACI Payment ($1 service fee for cards and electronic checks)
- Drop it off at the Summit County property tax drop box location on the 4th Floor of the Ohio building.
- Pay at a participating bank within the regional tax collection system (you can find a list of participating institutions on your tax bill).
Late payments sent in after the due date are subject to a 10% statutory penalty, and interest begins accruing if the payment is not made. The county does offer payment plans to help you avoid paying interest.
They also offer a real estate discount that allows taxpayers to save money on their tax bill by splitting the semi-annual bill into smaller installments to earn discount credits. Military reservists on active duty also have the option to defer payments.
Summit County Property Search/Tax Records
For those seeking a deeper understanding of a home they’re considering buying and the associated tax obligations, you can reference Summit County’s tax maps and property search tools to gather relevant data. Here are a few of the most popular Summit County property tax search tools.
- Summit County Property Access Portal: The Official Summit County Property lookup tool that allows you to search by address, parcel ID, or owner and view the assessed value, current taxes, mill rates, and exemptions. It even has a Summit County property tax calculator that allows you to estimate and project your bill.
- Summit County Fiscal Office – Property Tax Search: The main hub for Summit County property tax and appraisal information. It offers links to Summit County tax lookup, bill explanations, appeals, and tax programs.
- Summit County Parcel Viewer — Interactive, parcel-based Summit County property tax map.
- Summit County Recorder Document Search — Access Summit County property tax records, deeds, plats, surveys, and more.
Summit County Property Tax Exemptions
There are also several Summit County property tax exemptions that some residents may qualify for. Here are some of the various programs and main exemptions you should know.
The Homestead Exemption
The Summit County Homestead Exemption is one of the most popular programs in which residents are invited to participate. It provides seniors, disabled homeowners, and military veterans with a tax break, saving eligible homeowners an average of $535 per year.
To qualify for the homestead exemption, you must be:
- 65 or older
- Totally and permanently disabled
- A military veteran with a service-related disability
- The spouse of a first responder who passed away in the line of duty
Eligible homeowners get an exemption on the first $28,000 of appraised value for a single-family home, while veterans receive an exemption of the first $56,000 on a single-family home. However, seniors and individuals with disabilities only qualify if their annual income is under $40,000. There is no income limit for veterans or the spouses of first responders.
Additional Exemptions and Reductions
- 2.5% deduction: A 2.5% deduction is available for eligible seniors statewide. Learn more by reading the Senior Services page of the Summit County Fiscal Officer or by calling customer service at 330-643-2661 and 1-888-388-5613.
- Owner-occupancy tax deduction: An additional 2.5% deduction is also available for those who own their primary residence.
Summit County Ohio Property Tax Appeals
It’s important to note that if you feel like your Summit County property tax bill is unfair and the appraised value of your home is inaccurate, you have the right to appeal the decision.
The Summit County Board of Revision is responsible for reviewing appeals. Board members include the Fiscal Officer, the County Executive, and the County Clerk of Courts, or their representatives.
To submit an appeal, you must file a complaint (form DTE-1) between January 1st and March 31st. It can be delivered in person to the Ohio Building, sent in by mail, or submitted via SmartFile online.
You’ll also need to submit evidence of your claim (such as appraisals, comparable sales, repair estimates, or photos), which must be turned in 10 days before your hearing. The BOR will then hear your case and either affirm, increase, decrease, or leave the valuation unchanged.
If you disagree with their decision, you have 30 days to file a further appeal with one of the following agencies:
- Ohio Board of Tax Appeals: Rhodes Tower, Columbus (30 E Broad St, 24th Floor)
- Summit County Court of Common Pleas: Summit County Courthouse, 205 S High St, 1st Floor, Akron.
If you still disagree with their decision, you can appeal your Summit County property taxto the Ohio Supreme Court. However, this is a rare occurrence that can get very complex.
Summit County Property Tax FAQ
When Are Summit County Ohio Property Taxes Due?
Summit County Ohio property taxes are due twice per year, once in February and once in July.
How Are Property Taxes Calculated In Summit County, Ohio?
Ohio taxes property at a rate of 35% of the fair market value. Your final tax bill is then calculated by applying the assessed value to the applicable tax rate, which is expressed in mills and set by your local district.
What Is the Senior Property Tax Break In Summit County?
Seniors who are 65 years old or older and make less than $40,000 per year are eligible for the homestead exemption, which is an exemption on the first $28,000 of a single-family home. Some eligible seniors may also qualify for a statewide exemption of 2.5%.
When Are Property Tax Bills Mailed In Summit County?
Summit County property tax bills are typically mailed the month before the due date, so January for the first half and June for the second.
Ready to Move to Summit County?
Now that you know everything you need to know about Summit County property tax, you’re ready to settle down in the community. When it comes time to move, you can trust the reliable Akron movers at Summit Moving and Storage to make your moving day easy and efficient. Call (330) 633-3633 today for a free quote.
