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1. What period do my property taxes cover?

Property taxes are paid one year in arrears. Taxes paid in 2014 are based on the condition of the property as of January 1, 2013.

2. Is it true that a levy can be passed in November 2013 and be on my tax bill in 2014?

Yes, a levy passed in November 2013 will be on the tax bill in 2014. When you vote on a levy, the ballot will specifically identify the tax year the levy is to start. In the case, if the levy states the tax levy will be effective for tax year 2013, then it would appear in the 2014 tax bill.

3. If my property value is decreased, does that mean I will see a reduction on my taxes?

There is no dollar-for-dollar correlation between the decrease/increase in appraised value and taxes. Your appraised value multiplied by the voted levies equal your generated taxes. Most tax rates are adjusted each year to ensure they generate the amount of revenue they generated in the previous year.

4. How are tax rates determined?

Voters determine the tax rates by passing or failing levies.

5. What are the different types of levies?

Inside levies (Unvoted): Each taxing district can have up to 10 mills of unvoted millage. This millage moves in direct correlation with your property value. For example, if the value of your home increases 5%, the taxes on your inside millage will increase 5%. Fixed Sum Levies: Tax levies approved by voters to generate a specific amount of money. The two most popular fixed sum levies are emergency and a bond levy. In each case, the Budget Commission meets to determine the rate necessary to generate the amount of money that will comply with the levy requirements. Fixed Rate Levies: This type is the most common type of levy and must by approved by the voters. The levy only generates additional income if new construction occurs. If the value within a taxing subdivision's territory goes up due to a reappraisal, the tax rate is reduced so that it generates the same amount of money it did in the prior year. The effective rate can never be more than the voted rate. If the value increases due to new construction there will be additional tax revenue realized by the subdivision. The converse is also true.

6. Are there any tax reduction programs?

Non-business credit: All residential and agricultural property in the state automatically qualify for the non-business credit. The state pays 10% of your tax liability on your behalf.

Owner-Occupancy Credit: Residential property qualifies for this program if the property owner-occupied and the property owner does not claim any other property as their primary residence. To qualify for this program, you must file an application with the Greene County Auditor prior to the first Monday in June. Rental property does not qualify for the credit.

Homestead: If you are 65 or older or are permanently disabled you may qualify to have the taxes on the first $25,000 of your appraised value paid by the State of Ohio. Please visit the Homestead page to learn more.

7. What is the effective tax rate?

The effective tax rate is the rate at which your taxes are calculated. It is arrived at through a complex mathematical formula. The goal of the formula is to prevent changing the tax revenue generated by a political subdivision simply because the value of property has increased or decreased due to market conditions.

The thought process behind this is that when you vote on a levy, you are voting to give the political subdivision a certain amount of money. If values of real estate change due to market conditions, the taxes should not necessarily change with them. In other words, just because your property value went up 10% does not mean it costs 10% more to provide fire service to your property.

8. Can you explain a taxing division?

A taxing district is the group of political subdivisions that serve an area.

For example, taxing district B42 represents Beavercreek City, but government services are provided to the residents of Beavercreek City and tax dollars are collected for Greene County, Beavercreek Township, Beavercreek City School District, Beavercreek City, and the Greene County Career Center.

9. What value does the county use to determine my taxes?

The county auditor is required to appraise every property in the county. The value is the appraised value, or market value. Your taxes are based on an assessed value which is equal to 35% of the appraised value.