From WOOD COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE
Wood County Auditor Matthew Oestreich has announced the implementation of House Bill 186 which will appear on second-half tax bills as the “Inflation Cap Credit.” House Bill 186 was enacted to limit increases in school district property tax revenue to the rate of inflation. The legislation also redirects the state’s 10% non-business rollback to increase the owner-occupancy tax credit.
Because software modifications were needed to implement these calculations, the due date for second-half real estate and mobile home taxes has been extended to Monday, Aug. 17.
Any residential property in Wood County that had a building value in tax year 2023 is eligible to receive the Inflation Cap Credit. Most properties in Wood County meet this qualification and will see the credit reflected on their second-half tax bill.
The amount of the credit is determined by each property’s taxable value and a school district and vocational school percentage established by the Ohio Department of Taxation. Not all school districts qualify for the credit because eligibility depends on the composition of each district’s levies. Among qualifying districts in the county, the school district credit percentages range from 0.9% to 17%.
“The Inflation Cap Credit is an important first step toward meaningful property tax reform,” Oestreich said. “While additional relief is still needed, I appreciate the General Assembly’s efforts to address rising property taxes. Our office has worked closely with County Treasurer Jane Spoerl to ensure these changes are accurately reflected on taxpayers’ second-half bills.”
Taxpayers who have already overpaid their property taxes as a result of these legislative changes will either receive a credit on a future tax bill or a refund check. Properties eligible for a refund will receive a letter after the second-half tax collection process has been completed.
Additional property tax relief was recently approved through House Bill 479, which provides a one-time expansion of the Homestead Exemption credit for Tax Year 2026. More than $350 million in state revenue will be used to increase the Homestead credit for qualifying seniors, doubling the average savings. This additional credit will be a flat amount determined by the Ohio Department of Taxation and will not vary based on property value or tax rates. All local taxing entities will be fully reimbursed by the State of Ohio.
Additional property tax reforms have also been enacted:
- House Bill 124 authorizes county auditors to determine the validity of real estate sales for valuation purposes.
- House Bill 309 expands the authority of county budget commissions.
- House Bill 129 modifies the levy types included in a school district’s 20-mill floor calculation.
- House Bill 335 limits increases in inside millage to the rate of inflation.
The auditor will continue working with state lawmakers and local officials to advocate for additional property tax reforms that provide long-term relief for Wood County property owners while maintaining stable funding for essential local services.
