How Property Tax Works
Preble County, Ohio operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, libraries, fire protection, and county operations. Property taxes are administered by the Preble County Auditor's office, which assesses properties at their current market value and applies the appropriate tax rates. The effective residential property tax rate for 2025 is approximately 0.82%, though this represents a county-wide average.
It's important to understand that your actual tax rate will vary depending on your specific location within Preble County due to special taxing districts. These districts include local school districts, fire districts, library levies, and other municipal services that create different tax rates across neighborhoods. Properties are reassessed every three years by the county auditor to reflect current market conditions, with the most recent countywide reappraisal affecting tax bills.
The property tax system in Preble County follows Ohio's structure where taxes are calculated on assessed value after applying any applicable tax credits. Unlike some states, Ohio does not cap property value assessments, but various tax credit programs are available to qualifying homeowners to help reduce their annual tax burden.