What Is a Property Tax?

Start with the basic concept: an Ohio property-tax bill combines taxable property value with taxes levied by overlapping local governments and districts.

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Property tax is an ad valorem tax: the amount is tied to the taxable value of real property. A single Ohio parcel can sit inside several overlapping taxing jurisdictions, so the bill is not one tax imposed by one government.

The system is easiest to understand as three questions: what is the taxable value, which taxing authorities overlap at this address, and what rates or levies apply?

Property-tax revenue supports multiple local public functions. School districts receive the largest share statewide, while counties, townships, municipalities and special taxing districts also receive substantial shares.