Franklin County property owners face three significant changes in 2026: a revised payment schedule, an active triennial property value update, and a 2025 tax bill that may reflect a substantially higher assessed value than previous years. The first-half payment deadline has moved to March 2, 2026 missing it triggers an immediate 10% penalty. New assessed values arrive by mail on June 9. This guide covers due dates, tax calculation, exemptions, and how to dispute your assessment.
Franklin County Property Tax Due Dates 2026
Franklin County changed its payment schedule starting in 2026. The previous due dates were January 31 and June 20. Those dates no longer apply.
New 2026 Due Dates (Tax Year 2025, collected in 2026):
| Payment | Due Date |
|---|---|
| First Half | March 2, 2026 |
| Second Half | No earlier than July 20, 2026 (exact date to be confirmed by Treasurer’s Office) |
The Franklin County Treasurer mailed 2025 tax bills the week of January 26, 2026.
If you have not received your bill, look it up directly at treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov
or call 614-525-3438.
Missing a due date costs you 10% penalty immediately, no grace period.
If you pay through your mortgage escrow, contact your lender to confirm they have updated their records for the new March 2 first-half deadline.
How Your Franklin County Property Tax Is Calculated
Your bill is based on two things: your assessed value and your millage rate.
Assessed Value:
The Franklin County Auditor appraises your home at fair market value. Ohio law taxes you on 35% of that value. So a home worth $300,000 has an assessed value of $105,000.
Millage Rate:
Your assessed value is multiplied by your district’s millage rate. One mill = $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. For most Columbus residents, the total millage is 115.89 mills.
$105,000 ÷ 1,000 × 115.89 = $12,168/year before exemptions
Your exact rate depends on your school district, city or township, and local levies. School levies alone make up 60–70% of most Franklin County property tax bills, which is why two homes on the same street can have different bills if they sit in different school districts.
County-wide averages for 2026:
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Effective tax rate | ~1.69% of market value |
| Median annual bill | ~$4,138 |
| Columbus total millage | 115.89 mills |
| Ohio state median rate | 1.60% |
| National median rate | 1.02% |
2026 Triennial Property Value Update What Is Happening to Your Home’s Value
This is the biggest property tax development in Franklin County right now.
Ohio law requires county auditors to update property values every three years. Franklin County completed a full reappraisal in 2023 when residential values jumped an average of 43%. The 2026 triennial update is the midpoint check between that reappraisal and the next full one.
The good news:
This year’s update is far more modest. Residential properties are seeing a tentative average increase of 9% not another 43% shock.
The 2026 triennial timeline:
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | Auditor sends proposed values to Ohio Dept. of Taxation |
| June 9, 2026 | New values mailed to all property owners + available online |
| July – September 2026 | Informal review period meet with Auditor’s Office if you disagree |
| December 2026 | Final values set |
| March 31, 2027 | Deadline to file formal complaint with Board of Revision |
| 2027 | New values take effect on your tax bill |
Important: The 2026 triennial update affects your 2027 tax bill, not your 2026 bill. Your current 2026 payments are based on the 2023 reappraisal values.
Also note: a higher home value does not automatically mean your taxes go up by the same percentage. Ohio’s HB 920 law limits how much levies can collect so tax rates are sometimes reduced as values rise. The increase in your bill depends on how your value changed relative to other properties in your district.
How to Pay Your Franklin County Property Tax in 2026
Online
Pay at treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov by e-check, credit card, or debit card. E-check has the lowest fees.
By Mail
Send your check payable to Franklin County Treasurer:
373 S. High St., 17th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6306
(A USPS postmark by the due date counts as on time.)
In Person
Visit the Treasurer’s Office at the address above during business hours.
Through Escrow
Your mortgage lender pays from your escrow account. Verify they have updated their schedule for the new March 2 first-half deadline.
Exemptions That Can Lower Your 2026 Tax Bill
Homestead Exemption
Shields a portion of your home’s appraised value from taxation entirely. This is the most valuable exemption available in Franklin County.
You qualify if you are:
- 65 or older
- Permanently and totally disabled
- A surviving spouse (age 59+) of a homeowner who previously qualified
Apply at the Franklin County Auditor’s Office with documentation of your age or disability status. Call 614-525-4663 or visit franklincountyauditor.com.
Owner-Occupancy Credit (2.5% Rollback)
If this home is your primary residence, you automatically get a 2.5% reduction on your tax bill. No application needed.
Under Ohio House Bill 186, this credit is increasing for owner-occupied homes over the next four years. A homeowner with a $350,000 home whose current credit is $581 will see it rise to $715 by year four.
Veteran Exemption
Qualifying veterans with a service-connected disability may receive additional relief. Contact the Auditor’s Office to confirm eligibility.
CAUV — Farmland
Agricultural land can be taxed on its farming value instead of its development value — a major reduction for qualifying properties.
What To Do If You Disagree With Your New 2026 Property Value
When your new triennial value arrives in June 2026, here are your options:
Step 1 — Review your notice carefully.
Check that your home’s square footage, number of rooms, and property type are all listed correctly on the Auditor’s records. Errors in basic data directly inflate your value. Verify at franklincountyauditor.com.
Step 2 — Request an informal review.
From July through September 2026, you can meet directly with the Franklin County Auditor’s Office to discuss your value. Bring recent sales of comparable homes nearby as evidence. This is free and does not require a lawyer.
Step 3 — File a formal complaint if needed.
If the informal review does not resolve your concern, file a complaint with the Franklin County Board of Revision by March 31, 2027. Bring comparable sales data or a licensed appraisal. You can file online at the Auditor’s website or in person.
Step 4 — Escalate if necessary.
If the Board of Revision does not rule in your favor, you may appeal further to the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals.
Key Contacts and Resources
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay your tax bill online | treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov |
| Look up your property value | franklincountyauditor.com |
| 2026 triennial update info | franklincountyauditor.com (Know Your Home Value) |
| Treasurer’s Office | 614-525-3438 |
| Auditor’s Office | 614-525-4663 |
| First-half due date | March 2, 2026 |
| Second-half due date | No earlier than July 20, 2026 |
| New values mailed to owners | June 9, 2026 |
| Informal review period | July – September 2026 |
| Board of Revision complaint deadline | March 31, 2027 |
FAQs
When is the Franklin County property tax due in 2026?
The first-half payment is due March 2, 2026. The second-half is due no earlier than July 20, 2026 the Treasurer’s Office will confirm the exact date. These are new dates; the old January 31 and June 20 deadlines no longer apply.
Why did my Franklin County property tax bill change?
Your 2026 bill reflects values from the 2023 sexennial reappraisal, when residential property values in the county rose an average of 43%. A new triennial update is underway in 2026, but those new values will affect your 2027 bill, not your current one.
Will the 2026 triennial update raise my taxes?
Not necessarily, and not right away. The 2026 update affects your 2027 tax bill. And even if your home’s value increases, Ohio law can reduce the millage rate to offset it so your taxes may not rise by the same percentage as your home’s value.
When will I get my new property value for 2026?
New values are being mailed to all Franklin County property owners on June 9, 2026 and will also be available on the Auditor’s website that same day.
How do I dispute my Franklin County property value?
You can meet informally with the Auditor’s Office between July and September 2026. If unresolved, file a formal complaint with the Board of Revision by March 31, 2027.
Do I qualify for the Franklin County Homestead Exemption?
If you are 65 or older or are permanently disabled, you likely qualify. Apply at the Franklin County Auditor’s Office at 614-525-4663.
What happens if I miss the March 2, 2026 deadline?
A 10% penalty is added to your balance immediately. There is no grace period.
Can I pay Franklin County property taxes online?
Yes. Pay at treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov by e-check (lowest fee), credit card, or debit card.
