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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Defiance County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Defiance County, OH. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Approximately 0.89% effective rate, varies by district based on school district, municipality, township, and special districts
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Defiance County, Ohio operates a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county government operations, townships, municipalities, and special districts. Property owners in Defiance County face an effective tax rate of approximately 0.89% for the 2025 levy year, though actual rates vary significantly by location within the county due to different combinations of school districts, municipalities, townships, and special taxing districts such as library districts, park districts, and emergency services levies.

The property tax system in Defiance County follows Ohio's statewide assessment methodology, where properties are assessed at 35% of their true market value for tax purposes. This assessed value is then subject to various tax rates imposed by different local government entities. Property owners may be eligible for various tax credits that can reduce their final tax bill, but these credits typically require annual application and are not automatically applied. The combination of base county levies, school district taxes, municipal taxes, and special district assessments creates the total tax burden for each individual property.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate RangeDescription
County General0.15-0.25%Basic county operations, courts, sheriff
School Districts0.45-0.65%Local school district operations and bond payments
Municipal/Township0.05-0.15%City, village, or township services
Special Districts0.05-0.20%Libraries, parks, emergency services, water/sewer
Total Effective Rate~0.89%Combined rate for levy year 2025

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 levy year and represent typical ranges within Defiance County. Your actual tax rate depends on your specific location and the taxing districts that serve your property. School district rates can vary significantly between districts within the county, and special district participation varies by location. Contact the Defiance County Auditor's office to determine the exact tax rate for your specific address.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Defiance County, property taxes are due in two installments:

Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes in Defiance County are additional tax assessments that occur when there are changes to a property's assessed value during the tax year. Common triggers include new construction completion, major renovations that increase property value, ownership transfers that prompt reassessment, or corrections to previous assessments. When the County Auditor determines that a property's taxable value has increased mid-year, a supplemental tax bill is calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values.

The supplemental tax is calculated by taking the increase in assessed value and multiplying it by the property's total tax rate, then prorating it for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a $100,000 home improvement is completed in July and increases the assessed value by $35,000 (35% assessment ratio), the supplemental tax would be calculated as: $35,000 × 0.89% × 6/12 months = approximately $156. Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from regular property tax installments.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (35%): $105,000
  • Homestead Credit (if qualified): -$2,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $102,500
  • Annual Tax ($102,500 × 0.89%): $912
  • Monthly Escrow: $76

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (35%): $210,000
  • Homestead Credit (if qualified): -$2,500
  • Owner-Occupancy Credit (if qualified): -$1,200
  • Net Taxable Value: $206,300
  • Annual Tax ($206,300 × 0.89%): $1,836
  • Monthly Escrow: $153

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (35%): $350,000
  • Homestead Credit (if qualified): -$2,500
  • Owner-Occupancy Credit (if qualified): -$1,200
  • Net Taxable Value: $346,300
  • Annual Tax ($346,300 × 0.89%): $3,082
  • Monthly Escrow: $257

Note: All tax credits shown require annual application and qualification. Credits are not automatically applied and eligibility requirements must be met each year.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Defiance County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% equity. Lenders collect monthly escrow payments equal to 1/12 of the annual property tax bill, plus a cushion amount typically equal to 2-3 months of payments. The escrow account pays property taxes on behalf of the homeowner when bills become due. Defiance County property taxes for 2025 are due in three installments: April 15, June 16, and September 15, 2025.

Lenders typically pay property tax bills directly to the Defiance County Treasurer's office from the escrow account before each due date. Property owners should verify that their lender has current tax information, especially after reassessments or when tax credits are applied or removed. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or new levies, your lender will conduct an escrow analysis and may adjust your monthly payment. Homeowners can request annual escrow statements from their lender and should review them to ensure accuracy. For properties without escrow accounts, owners are responsible for making direct payments to the county by the established due dates to avoid penalties and interest charges.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Defiance County for 2025? A: Property taxes for the 2025 levy year are due in three installments: April 15, 2025 (first installment), June 16, 2025 (second installment), and September 15, 2025 (third installment).

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Major tax credits include the Homestead Credit (limits assessment increases for qualified homeowners), Owner-Occupancy Credit (reduces tax bill for primary residences), and Senior/Disabled Credits. ALL tax credits require annual application through the Defiance County Auditor's office and are NOT automatically applied.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits annual increases in assessed value to 10% for qualifying owner-occupied homes. This credit caps assessment growth, not the market value itself. You must apply annually, typically by the first Monday in June, to maintain eligibility.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Defiance County? A: Ohio law requires counties to conduct property reappraisals every six years with an update in the third year. Property owners who disagree with their assessment can file appeals with the County Board of Revision within 30 days of receiving their assessment notice.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. After the due date, taxes become delinquent and accrue interest at rates set by state law, currently around 10-18% annually, plus penalty fees.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, Defiance County typically offers online payment options through the County Treasurer's website. Payment methods usually include electronic checks and credit cards, though credit card payments may include processing fees.

Q: Why do property tax rates vary within Defiance County? A: Tax rates differ based on your location's combination of school district, municipality or township, and special districts (libraries, parks, emergency services). Each taxing entity sets its own levy rate, creating different total rates throughout the county.

Q: What triggers a supplemental tax assessment? A: Supplemental assessments occur when property improvements are completed, ownership transfers prompt reassessment, or assessment corrections are made mid-year. These result in additional tax bills prorated for the remaining tax year.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Defiance County Free Property Search Online Ohioohiopropertysearch.us
02
CY 2024 Prop Ratesdam.assets.ohio.gov
03
PR6CY25dam.assets.ohio.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax – Real Propertydam.assets.ohio.gov
05
Tax Doc
REAL PROPERTY TAXtax.ohio.gov
06
Defiance Metropolitan Park Districtohioauditor.gov
07
Tax Doc
Property Tax – Real Propertytax.ohio.gov
08
Tax Doc
Real Property - Ohio Department of Taxationtax.ohio.gov
09
Tax Doc
Real Property Taxdam.assets.ohio.gov
10
Tax Doc
Guidelines for Filing Ohio Personal Property Tax Returnsdam.assets.ohio.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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