2020 is a state-mandated triennial update year for Geauga County. The State of Ohio has required Geauga County to review the last three years of sales (2017, 2018, and 2019) and to trend the values to reflect market value changes. It is important to know that when values increase, it does not translate to higher taxes by the same percentage. The new values will be used in calculating your 2020 taxes, payable for the 1st half in January 2021. The differences in values may be due to new construction (improvements), lot splits, buildings removed, reappraisal/update, farm and forestry credits, or a combination of these. The new 2020 property values are available for review and can be found using the Geauga REALink search.
To assist you, please see our “Frequently Asked Questions.” Additionally, we will have appraisers on staff should you wish to discuss your value.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Appraisal office:
Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (440) 286-4359
Phone: (440) 279-1601
Mailing Address: Geauga County Auditor
231 Main St., Suite 1A
Chardon, OH 44024
Due to Covid-19, no walk-ins please.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Triennial Update? The triennial update is a study and analysis of sales that have taken place during the three years after the revaluation in order to determine if property values have changed during that time. The Ohio Department of Taxation makes recommendations to adjust values based on the relationship of value to sales prices by district. As the name indicates, it is designed to update market values previously established in the last sexennial reappraisal to avoid large changes in value over a six-year period. Properties are not physically looked at during this process. The triennial considers sales from 2017 through 2019.
What is the timeline for Geauga County’s reappraisals/updates? Ohio law requires that a revaluation take place every six years to review each property in the county and make adjustments based on market activity and economic conditions to ensure fair and equitable values. The law also requires a triennial update of values take place three years later.
Did all properties get the same value adjustment due to the triennial update? Trending of values varied depending on neighborhood market sales.
If the Market Value of my home increases by 10% will my taxes increase 10%? No! HB 920 provides a credit to protect homeowners from tax increases due to reappraisals/updates. The increase is from the inside millage of 10 mills provided for by the State of Ohio and allocated to schools, cities, counties, and other local governments that are not subject to the HB 920 credit. If you live in a school district which is at or near the 20-mill floor, this increase will be more. Ohio has provided that HB 920 cannot reduce school districts millage for general operations under 20 mills, combined inside and outside millage. Therefore, HB 920 does not provide as much credit in these school districts as it does normally.
My home has never been for sale and we have no plans to sell it, why does my value increase based on my neighbors who sold their homes? Ohio law mandates that the county auditor appraise all property at its market value. This assures that everyone pays only their fair share of the real estate tax burden and provides for better equalization of values. For this 2020 update the State of Ohio has required Geauga County to trend values using sales of properties for the past three years (2017, 2018, and 2019).
What causes changes in my tax bill? The value added to your property due to new construction will raise your property taxes. Also, whenever voters pass new levies, taxes will increase according to the specific millage voted. These are the principle reasons that property taxes increase.
I didn’t vote for the last tax levy. Why should I have to pay for it? This is an instance of majority rules. By Ohio law, taxes must be levied uniformly throughout a taxing district.
What causes changes in valuation other than a reappraisal/update? Alterations or changes to the property such as new construction, buildings added or razed, remodeling, additions, finished basement, new agricultural buildings, etc.
Was there a change in CAUV values this year? Soil rates are set by the State of Ohio. All soil rates stayed the same or went down.
How can I appeal the market value placed on my home?
