Updated February 15, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. ET
- Ohio homeowners are expressing worries about increasing property taxes, even though lawmakers enacted tax cuts last year.
- Critics claim that the new tax credits fall short, as many homeowners are facing tax hikes that greatly surpass the relief offered.
- There are ongoing efforts to introduce a constitutional amendment in Ohio aimed at completely abolishing property taxes.
It all began with two horses.
Janice Spencer wanted to experience horseback riding, and her late husband proposed that they buy a horse instead.
This idea eventually led to the Bethlehem Township farm that Spencer has lived on for the past 40 years. Spencer, a former postal worker, along with her family, now raises a variety of animals—including pigs, rabbits, horses, sheep, cats, dogs, and goats—on their five-acre property in southern Stark County.
However, Spencer noted that the costs of running the farm are climbing, particularly due to rising prices for animal feed and electricity.
Moreover, property taxes have dramatically increased—almost $1,000 between her farm and two other properties after Stark County’s 2024 reassessment.
“I’m really nervous,” Spencer admitted. “I can’t sleep well.”
Spencer is one of many Ohio homeowners feeling unsure about the impact of property taxes on their financial situations, even after a significant reform was introduced last year. Detractors argue that the new law, which includes deductions and caps on future tax increases, does not adequately assist those most in need of help to stay in their homes.
The legislation also did not satisfy those Ohioans advocating for a constitutional change to eliminate property taxes altogether.
Officials recognize that more needs to be done, and the idea of placing amendments on the ballot for November worries them. Lawmakers have proposed numerous bills aimed at modifying various aspects of the current tax system.
However, critics contend that property tax challenges will persist unless Ohio revamps how it funds education and community services.
“When the foundation starts to crumble, we redo the drywall,” commented state Sen. Bill Blessing, a Republican from Colerain Township. “What’s needed is a much larger, structural change to effectively eliminate this.”
Ohio homeowners can take advantage of new tax credits
The legislation passed at the end of 2025 represents the most significant updates Ohio’s property tax system has seen in decades.
House Bill 186 is expected to primarily impact homeowners, progressively increasing credits for individuals residing in their homes and eliminating the non-business credit. Once fully implemented—over the course of four years—those currently receiving a $1,000 annual credit from the state will see an additional $230.
The bill also allocates property tax credits to 75% of Ohio school districts, mostly in small towns and rural areas. These credits include deductions for the years 2023 and 2024, when property values surged, leading to substantial tax increases.
The first deduction is anticipated to appear on the second tax bill for 2026, with amounts varying by school district; the more a home’s value has increased, the more relief there will be.
For example, the Legislative Services Commission estimates that homeowners in the Cincinnati public school district will get about $80.50 per $100,000 of market value this year. Meanwhile, those in Dublin City Schools near Columbus will only see approximately $11, and homeowners in Massillon City Schools in Stark County will receive around $56, while those in Hamilton Local School District in Franklin County can expect about $209.
Critics argue that House Bill 186 benefits some of the wealthier school districts in the state while neglecting those Ohioans who are in dire need of assistance. They also suggest that the deductions are trivial compared to the taxes many homeowners face.
Take Peggy Reese, for instance. A resident of the Fairfield Union Regional School District, she saw her home value nearly triple during last year’s reappraisal. Based on state estimates, she is set to receive about $500 in tax credits under the new law, while her property taxes have surged by $4,700.
Reese, who purchased land next to her father’s former home in 1995, built the house there with her late husband, saving money over the years to cover property taxes which she always expected would be a significant expense. She thought they were set for life.
Now retired, Reese plans to pay off as much of her new $8,200 tax bill as she can, but she fears the increasing costs might force her to leave her cherished home where she enjoys daily walks with her dog.
“It’s exhausting,” Reese expressed. “These taxes aren’t fair.”
“It’s an absolute pain.”
Reese’s story, along with similar frustrations directed at elected officials, has spurred efforts towards eliminating property taxes in Ohio.
Supporters need to gather over 413,000 signatures by July to get the constitutional amendment on the November ballot. It’s uncertain how many signatures have been collected thus far, but advocates continue to set up drives at businesses, churches, and homes across the state.
Ohio isn’t alone in this; in states like Oklahoma, Georgia, and North Dakota, residents and lawmakers are similarly searching for solutions to reduce property taxes that have spiked alongside soaring home prices.
Sarah Wolfe, a Cincinnati resident in the Northside area, recently organized a signature drive at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Westchester Township. Wolfe’s property tax rose during Hamilton County’s 2023 reassessment, motivating her to advocate for lower taxes. Surprisingly, she has found considerable support for the amendment.
“It’s beyond anger,” Wolfe remarked. “It’s just a pain. What can they possibly do?”
Kimberly Jackson described her financial situation as “two steps forward, one step back.”
Jackson’s property taxes increased by nearly $800 after her Cincinnati home was reassessed in 2023. Although she secured a new, high-paying position as a warehouse manager, the additional costs have affected her overall income significantly.
“You work hard for a home you can call your own, without relying on someone else’s mortgage,” Jackson noted. “Yet, you get walloped with a tax hike that can force you out.”
Jackson advocates for reforming property tax laws to benefit working-class homeowners, seniors, and individuals on fixed incomes already struggling to make ends meet. She supports the push to eliminate property taxes.
“I’m definitely in favor,” Jackson affirmed. “There are other avenues for the government to obtain revenue; the property taxes some of us are facing are outrageous.”
Should Ohio spend more on property tax relief?
Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) acknowledges the reality for homeowners involved in the repeal movement.
“Their anger is valid,” he stated. “Their determination is genuine.”
Thomas believes that property taxes are not a settled matter. The new law focuses on unvoted taxes—those not appearing on the ballot—and aims to link future tax increases to inflation. Another proposed bill would empower counties to scale back property tax collections if deemed too high.
So, what comes next? Thomas referred to legislation that would complicate passing taxes and require clearer information on the ballot for voters to understand the implications. Other proposals that some lawmakers suggest include property tax freezes and income-based deferral programs for seniors.
Yet, there remains uncertainty about solid next steps, with differing opinions on whether Ohio is doing enough for property taxpayers.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has described the state as having made a “very good start” with the recently signed bill. Lawmakers are also promoting budget measures allowing counties to extend tax breaks for seniors in addition to state homeownership tax credits, although few have thus far done so due to associated costs.
Rep. Rose Sweeney, D-Westlake, refuted claims that the Legislature has been inactive. Still, she noted that the problem endures.
“Until we genuinely start contributing our fair share, this issue isn’t going to disappear,” Sweeney asserted. “Seniors will continue to be taxed out of their homes. Hard-working Ohioans will struggle to afford them.”
State Sen. Sweeney and Blessing have introduced a property tax circuit breaker program, which has been implemented in various other states, generally aimed at providing relief for low-income and elderly homeowners. However, most Republicans have hesitated to allocate more funding for property tax relief, referencing existing state funding for homestead and other tax credits.
Thomas posited that increasing state aid doesn’t lower property taxes but merely redistributes the burden. He advocates for a reevaluation of Ohio’s local government framework, encouraging the consolidation of services where feasible. Some amendment proponents share this view.
Ultimately, implementing such changes will require time and political commitment. In the meantime, Thomas insists that voters can lower taxes by rejecting any tax levies.
“Do you want lower taxes? Or do you want the same benefits you’ve always received?” he questioned. “We can’t determine that—it’s a community issue that needs to be resolved individually.”
The debate over property taxes is centered around school funding.
Spencer, the farmer from Stark County, finds herself uncomfortable with this situation.
Her properties fall within the Fairless and Canton Regional School Districts. This tax increase makes her reluctant to advocate for new taxes to support local services she values, especially with grandchildren in school.
Spencer wishes there were alternative funding sources that wouldn’t place such a direct burden on property owners.
“I feel like I’m deceiving them,” she remarked. “I don’t want to cut funding, but what choice do I have?”
Despite concerns about property taxes, approximately two-thirds of the funding for school district taxes passed in the November 2025 election. Property taxes also contribute to funding for parks, police and fire departments, zoos, and children’s services, but the majority of the revenue goes towards schools.
This ongoing struggle with property taxes also reflects broader debates concerning school funding, with many critics asserting that Ohio is not doing enough.
In the next couple of years, the state plans to allocate more than $8 billion annually for K-12 public education, along with an extra $54 million for high-performing districts. While the latest state budget allocated modest funding increases to most districts, it relied on older figures to estimate the cost of a child’s education, which school leaders argue doesn’t accurately reflect recent inflation and could result in cuts down the line.
The new property tax law itself might pose obstacles for school districts. House Bill 186 promises schools $465 million over two years to compensate for new tax credits. Meanwhile, separate legislation designed to curb tax increases could lead to over 200 districts losing $609 million in revenue.
Local officials and homeowners might not see eye-to-eye on whether Ohio should entirely eliminate property taxes. Still, they unanimously believe that the state imposes excessive financial responsibilities on homeowners to sustain schools, libraries, and public safety.
“People value all these services,” emphasized Jeff Wensing, president of the Ohio Education Association. “Sadly, residents are lining up to approve tax increases to maintain them because the state keeps shirking its responsibilities.”
