Think your property taxes too high? Challenging your appraisal value may help.
Michael Stinziano is Franklin County auditor.
While the impact of property taxes continues to be a big conversation at our dinner tables, in our neighborhoods and at the Ohio Statehouse, it is important for all Franklin County property owners to remember they play an important role in how the auditor’s office establishes their property value.
And while property value does not equate 1:1 with property taxes, ensuring fair and accurate property values is vital to equity in our community.
To that end, the deadline to file a property value challenge to the Board of Revision is rapidly approaching on April 1. If you disagree with the current auditor’s valuation, this is your opportunity for a potential change.
Your Franklin County Auditor’s office has worked to ensure every property owner’s voice is heard by offering a variety of opportunities to work with the office in establishing appropriate property values.
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If you missed taking advantage of a Property Value Review Session last fall before final values were approved by the state of Ohio, the auditor’s office is currently holding numerous Board of Revision filing events at locations across the county, where office experts answer questions and help homeowners file challenges to their values.
While a concern about increased property taxes alone is not justification for a change in property value, there are many other forms of information that you can share to seek a change. If you pursue a challenge, submitting supporting documentation such as photos of the property conditions, settlement/closing statements, or recent purchase contacts and appraisals can have an impact.
Your auditor office also offers the Homeowner Assistance Program, which helps lower to moderate income homeowners with expert and legal help to file a challenge with the Board of Revision. Locations and dates of the filing events can be found on the Auditor’s office website Franklincountyauditor.com. But you can also file online at any time.
It’s important to note that if your property value changes or decreases as a result of a Board of Revision challenge, property taxes don’t necessarily change at the same rate, but establishing values that are fair and accurate is vital to equity in our community.
If you disagree with your current Auditor’s office assessed property value, I encourage you to file a challenge with the BOR ahead of the April 1 deadline.
Michael Stinziano is Franklin County auditor.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How to challenge property appraisal to lower taxes in Columbus area
