Rate Breakdown

Property taxes in Preble County are calculated by multiplying the assessed value (minus exemptions) by the total local millage rate.

How Property Tax Works in Preble County

In Preble County, property taxes are determined by the assessed value of your real estate and the local tax rates, known as millage. The Preble County Auditor is responsible for determining the "true value" of properties through a state-mandated reappraisal process every six years, with an update occurring in the third year of that cycle. By law, properties are assessed at 35% of their appraised market value. This figure is then multiplied by the effective tax rate (millage) for your specific taxing district. Millage rates are comprised of inside millage (unvoted) and outside millage (voted levies for schools, townships, and county services). Because Ohio’s Tax Reduction Factor (House Bill 920) limits the growth of tax revenue from voted levies, your tax bill remains relatively stable despite changes in property values, unless new levies are approved by voters.

Available Exemptions

Ohio provides several property tax relief programs to assist eligible homeowners in reducing their tax burden. These programs are governed by state law and administered at the county level:

• Homestead Exemption: Designed for seniors (65+) and individuals with permanent disabilities, this allows qualified homeowners to shield a portion of their home's market value from taxation. Eligibility is generally based on total household income.
• Disabled Veteran Exemption: Veterans who have been rated 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs may qualify for an expanded homestead exemption, which provides a significantly higher reduction in taxable value compared to the standard program.
• Owner-Occupancy Credit: While previously available to all homeowners, this credit is now limited to those who were already receiving it for the 2013 tax year.

Payment Schedule & Deadlines

Property taxes in Preble County are typically billed in two installments. The first half is generally due in February, and the second half is due in July. The Preble County Treasurer’s office issues tax bills well in advance of these deadlines to ensure taxpayers have sufficient time to remit payment. Homeowners can pay via mail, in person at the Treasurer’s office, or through the county's online payment portal. It is critical to meet these deadlines; late payments are subject to a mandatory 10% penalty as required by Ohio Revised Code. Continued delinquency may result in the placement of a tax lien on the property, which can lead to foreclosure proceedings.

Appealing Your Assessment

If you believe the Auditor's appraised value of your property exceeds its fair market value, you have the right to file a complaint. The formal process begins by filing a DTE Form 1 with the Preble County Board of Revision (BOR). Complaints are typically accepted between January 1 and March 31 of the current tax year. During the hearing, you must provide credible evidence to support your claim, such as recent appraisals, sales data of comparable properties in your neighborhood, or documentation of significant physical damage to the structure. The BOR will review your evidence and issue a written decision regarding whether to adjust your property's valuation.