Property owners of a home or business that has been damaged by recent storms may be eligible to receive a reduction on annual real estate tax bills starting in 2020. According to Greene County Treasurer Kraig Hagler, tax bills that property owners will receive this month are one year arrears and are based on how the property stood as of January 1, 2018.
Greene County Auditor David Graham confirmed that state law authorizes County Auditors to reduce real estate values for properties suffering damage or destruction from the storms, but only if the Application for Valuation Deduction for Destroyed or Damaged Real Property form is filed with the County Auditor’s Office. This may result in lower real estate property taxes until the property has been restored to its prior condition or value.
In addition, property value reductions can be applied to real property including manufactured homes. Other personal property that was destroyed, such as furniture and personal belongings are not included.
“We would like to hear from citizens who have unfortunately suffered structural damage to their property from recent storms,” said Auditor Graham, “so that we may update our information and allow them to take advantage of tax relief.”
Applications for property value reduction and additional information concerning this are available on the County Auditor's web site at: www.co.greene.oh.us/auditor. The Auditor’s Office would like to receive all applications by the end of August in order to allow sufficient time to adjust property values prior to calculating property taxes due in 2020.
Property owners can receive additional information by calling the Greene County Auditor's Office at (937) 562-5065.