New property tax ideas proposed as the state’s rental property owners oppose changes

State Reps. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, and Chris Glassburn, D-North Olmsted, have proposed additional bipartisan reforms they said should help Ohioans deal with property taxes.

House Bill 608 would “guarantee at least 30 days between the mailing of a property tax bill and its due date,” “require counties to offer property tax payment plans to help homeowners manage costs” and “allow excess Real Estate Assessment Fund dollars to be returned directly to owner-occupied households,” among many other things. It now awaits referral to a House Committee for further consideration, according to a news release.

“These changes are each small, but they add transparency and assist the taxpayer in understanding the system better,” Thomas said. “Improvements to ballot language, help with new home development, longer payment periods and payment plan requirements and valuation postcards just make sense.”

Even though the Buckeye State’s property tax system provides “critical funding for local schools, libraries and first responders, generating around $24B in local revenue annually,” the lawmakers said in the press release that “the inconsistency in taxpayer notifications, the lack of flexible payment plan options, and confusing ballot language increase frustration among homeowners and local government.”

Thomas and Glassburn said that their bill would increase transparency, strengthen flexibility and ensure greater fairness throughout the property tax process.

“Taxpayers should have a system that works for them, one that is transparent and as fair as possible,” Glassburn said. “Today, I introduced legislation with Rep. Thomas to expand taxpayers’ rights and improve processes within our property tax system. These changes are one part of a larger effort to improve our property tax system for everyday Ohioans.”

Meanwhile, a group representing rental property owners began asking Republican Gov. Mike DeWine to veto part of Ohio’s new property-tax plan proposed in House Bill 186, saying a tax break for homeowners will come at the expense of renters, according to Cleveland.com.

“Eliminating this tax credit will have catastrophic consequences,” Ohio Real Estate Investors Association Vice President Vena Jones-Cox said. “I don’t know how they can justify this at a time when everyone is struggling with rental prices already. And without even speaking to us.”

Ohio lawmakers introduced many other bills to help struggling Ohioans. Some counties in the state even offered to help older Ohioans pay their property taxes by giving them up to $10,000.