With an average tax rate of 1.53%, Hamilton County residents pay an average of $2,274 a year in property taxes.
No matter how much you dislike property taxes, they’re non-negotiable—meaning you have to pay them. And with good reason, your taxes supply the salaries for police, firefighters, EMTs, and many other essential community services.
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If you’re a first-time homeowner or you’ve never paid property taxes before, here’s everything you need to know:
The local government assigns property taxes to help pay for community amenities and services (such as public libraries and parks)
Most property taxes apply to real property like land, buildings, and homes
A local tax assessor determines your property taxes based on your home’s assessed value and local tax rate
Property taxes may change based on market conditions and local budgets
Basically, property taxes are how community residents help the government fund important local projects, including infrastructure, emergency services, and community amenities.
MORE: Is car insurance tax deductible?
What is the property tax rate in Hamilton County?
The average property tax rate in Hamilton County is 1.53%—well above the national average of 1.01% and the state average of 1.36%. At that rate, residents pay roughly $2,274 a year for a home worth $148,200.
How Hamilton County property taxes are determined
The property taxes in Hamilton County are mainly determined by the value of the property as assessed by the Hamilton County Auditor
and tax levies—most of which are decided by voters. A home’s appraised property value can be influenced by many factors, including:
Amenities (home office, new appliances, etc.)
Historic sales information
New commercial businesses
In most locations, property taxes are reassessed once per year. Property owners in Hamilton County have the right to challenge their property values with the Hamilton County Board of Revision
. Any challenges must be submitted between January 1st and March 31st. What do Hamilton County property taxes pay for?
Hamilton County derives its annual revenue from several sources, including property taxes
. Those taxes help pay for various community services and amenities, including: The General Fund is Hamilton County's primary operating fund and includes public safety spending, such as salaries for firefighters, police officers, and emergency 911 dispatch.
MORE: How to negotiate home price when buying a house
How to pay property taxes in Hamilton County
Hamilton County property taxes are due in January and June of each year. Manufactured homes are due in March and July.
Property owners have several convenient options for paying their taxes:
Pay online: Online payments are available through the Hamilton County Treasurer's office
. Fees are as follows: Online check - $1.50 per bill
Online debit card - $5.00 per bill
Credit card - 2.39% per bill
Pay by mail: Make checks or money orders payable to Hamilton County Treasurer, 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Pay in person: Tax payments can be made at room 405, County Administration Building, 138 East Court St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Checks, money orders, Discover Card, MasterCard, VISA, and American Express are accepted.
Pay by phone: Call (877) 764-3524 to pay your current year’s tax bill by phone.
If you can’t pay your taxes on time, there is a 5% fee for the first ten days they are late. After ten days, the penalty increases to 10%. If you believe you were charged a late fee unfairly, you may submit an Application for the Remission of Real Property and Manufactured Home Late-Payment Penalties
to the County Treasurer. How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Ohio
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