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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Summit County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Around 1% of assessed value, varies significantly by location due to overlapping taxing districts
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Summit County, Ohio operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, libraries, parks, and municipal operations. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these services, with tax rates varying significantly across different areas within the county due to overlapping special taxing districts such as school districts, municipalities, library districts, and park districts.

The effective property tax rate in Summit County typically ranges around 1% of assessed value, though this varies considerably by location within the county. Properties are assessed at their fair market value without a statewide assessment cap. Recent data indicates property values have increased by an average of 30.8%, though actual tax bills may be moderated by available tax credits for qualifying homeowners. The final tax rates for the 2025 levy year are still being determined and will vary by the specific combination of taxing districts where your property is located.

It's important to note that most tax credits and benefits require annual application and are not automatically applied to your property tax bill. Property owners should contact the Summit County Fiscal Office at (888) 388-5613 for specific information about their property's tax situation and applicable districts.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

The property tax rate in Summit County varies by location due to different combinations of taxing districts. The following represents typical components for the 2025 levy year:

ComponentApproximate Rate RangeDescription
County Operations2-4 millsBasic county services and administration
School District20-40 millsLocal school district operations and bonds
Municipality3-8 millsCity/village services (varies by location)
Library District2-4 millsPublic library system funding
Park District1-3 millsMetro Parks and recreation services
Special Assessments0-5 millsFire districts, lighting, other special services
Total Effective Rate28-64 millsCombined rate (varies significantly by location)

Note: 1 mill = $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. Actual rates vary significantly based on your property's specific taxing district combination. Contact the Summit County Fiscal Office for your exact rate calculation.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Summit 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 taxes in Summit County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to a property's value or ownership during the tax year. Common triggers include new construction, major improvements, additions, or completion of previously incomplete properties. When improvements are made, the county assessor determines the increased value and issues a supplemental tax bill for the remaining portion of the tax year.

The supplemental tax is calculated by determining the difference between the old and new assessed values, applying the appropriate tax rate for your district, and prorating it for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you complete a $50,000 addition in July and your area's tax rate is 35 mills, the supplemental tax would be approximately $1,750 ($50,000 × 0.035) prorated for 6 months, resulting in about $875 in additional taxes for that year.

Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 60-90 days after the assessment change is processed and have separate due dates from your regular property tax payments. These bills must be paid according to the dates specified on the supplemental notice.

Example Calculation

The following examples show estimated annual property taxes for different property values in Summit County for the 2025 levy year, assuming a 35-mill effective rate (actual rates vary by location):

Example 1: $300,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Available Credits Applied: $0 (assuming no applications filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: 35 mills (3.5%)
  • Annual Tax: $10,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $875

Example 2: $600,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Varies (application required)
  • Net Taxable Value: ~$590,000 (with typical homestead benefit)
  • Tax Rate: 35 mills (3.5%)
  • Annual Tax: $20,650
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,721

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Available Credits Applied: Limited at higher values
  • Net Taxable Value: ~$995,000
  • Tax Rate: 35 mills (3.5%)
  • Annual Tax: $34,825
  • Monthly Escrow: $2,902

Note: These examples use estimated rates. Actual taxes depend on your specific taxing district combination. Most tax credits require annual application and are not automatic.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Summit County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely tax payments. Your lender collects approximately 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill each month along with your mortgage payment. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to Summit County when they become due.

Summit County property taxes are paid on a split schedule: the first half is due by February 28th, and the second half is due by July 16th (or the full amount by April 30th). Your lender will typically pay these installments from your escrow account according to this schedule. Lenders usually conduct annual escrow analyses to adjust your monthly payment based on actual tax bills and any changes in assessed value or tax rates.

It's important to review your annual escrow statement and monitor your property tax bills even when escrowed. Contact your lender if you notice discrepancies, and ensure any tax credits you're eligible for have been properly applied. You can verify that payments were received by checking with the Summit County Fiscal Office or viewing your account online through their payment portal.

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 Summit County property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: For 2025 pay 2026 taxes, the first half is due February 28, 2026, and the second half is due July 16, 2026. You can also pay the full amount by April 30, 2026. A 10% penalty is assessed on past due amounts.

Q: What tax credits are available in Summit County and do I need to apply? A: The main credit is the Homestead Credit for senior citizens (65+), permanently disabled persons, and surviving spouses of public service officers killed in the line of duty. This credit requires annual application using form DTE 105A filed with the County Auditor. It is NOT automatically applied.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits assessment increases rather than reducing market value. It helps cap the growth in your taxable value, providing tax relief as property values rise. You must apply annually and meet income and other eligibility requirements.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Summit County offers online payment options. Contact the Summit County Fiscal Office at (888) 388-5613 for details about online payment portals and accepted payment methods.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Summit County? A: Ohio requires property reassessments every six years with updates every three years. Summit County follows this state schedule, with the most recent data showing an average 30.8% increase in property values.

Q: What if I disagree with my property assessment? A: You can file an appeal with the Summit County Board of Revision. Appeals must typically be filed by March 31st following the tax lien date. Contact the County Auditor's office for specific appeal procedures and deadlines.

Q: Are there different tax rates within Summit County? A: Yes, tax rates vary significantly based on your location within the county due to different combinations of school districts, municipalities, library districts, and other special taxing districts.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: A 10% penalty is assessed on past due amounts. The penalty is applied on March 2nd for late first-half payments and approximately 10 days after the July 16th deadline for second-half payments.

Q: Do I need to file for tax credits every year? A: Yes, most tax credits including the Homestead Credit require annual application. They are not automatically renewed or applied to your property tax bill.

Q: Where can I get more information about my specific property taxes? A: Contact the Summit County Fiscal Office at (888) 388-5613 or visit their website for property-specific information, payment options, and current tax rates for your area.

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