Akron, Ohio — Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen M. Scalise CPA, CFE, has announced that the first half of 2024 real estate tax bills were mailed to residents on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The closing date for payment is Friday, February 28, 2025. Fiscal Officer Scalise advises that some Summit County residents may notice an increase in their property taxes due to several contributing factors.
Here’s what residents need to know:
State Budget Adjustments
Changes in state-level funding can indirectly impact local tax rates with fluctuations in state funding and adjustments to the distribution of tax revenues. Some municipalities, school districts, and other subdivisions have had to adapt to these changes to maintain service levels and meet budgetary needs. They may need to increase property tax rates by asking voters to approve replacement or additional levies.
Levies and Local Funding Needs
Several local taxing authorities in Summit County, including municipalities and schools, rely heavily on property taxes to fund essential services. Recent ballot measures approved by voters have increased millage rates, which help support public schools, fire and police departments, EMS, infrastructure, and other vital services. As these levies take effect, property owners may see higher tax bills. Notable levies are:
For all of Summit County
- A 4.5 mill replacement levy for the Summit County Board of Development Disabilities passed during the 2023 General Election, which will cause property owners to see an approximate $70 increase per $100,000 of appraised value.
Akron School District
- A current expense levy of 7.6 mills and a bond levy of 1.29 mills passed during the 2024 General Election, which will cause property owners to see an approximate $311 increase per $100,000 of appraised value.
How Residents Can Manage the Increase
The Fiscal Office has resources available to help manage the impact. The Summit County Fiscal Office encourages residents to review their tax bills carefully and to reach out for assistance in understanding the breakdown of their assessments. Residents are encouraged to explore programs like the Tax Installment Plan (TIP) and the Real Estate Discount Program (RED).
The Tax Installment Program (TIP) assists homeowners who cannot fully pay their bill by the due date. Homeowners who enroll in this program can avoid late payment penalties. To be eligible, all taxes and assessments must be current. The deadline to sign up for the Tax Installment Plan is February 28, 2025. Call (330) 643-2869 to enroll now.
The Real Estate Discount Program (RED) provides homeowners with a method of budgeting their semi-annual tax payments by receiving a discount credit. All Summit County property owners qualify. However, real estate taxes must be current. Call (330) 643-2590 to enroll now.
The Fiscal Office continues to offer various programs to assist homeowners with delinquent taxes. If you have fallen behind, please call our office for more information at (330) 643-2600.
Ohio law states that it is the responsibility of the property owner to obtain and pay their tax bill on time. To request a copy of your tax bill, please call (330) 643-2588. Tax bills can also be downloaded from our website at http://FiscalOffice.summitoh.net.
