1. Where is your office and when are you open?
2. I received my tax bill in the mail. It is supposed to be paid by my bank. What do I do?
3. I received a bill for property I just sold, what should I do?
4. I have received a bill for property I just purchased and I noticed the bill states it is for last year, am I responsible for the payment of these taxes?
5. I didn’t receive a tax bill, what should I do?
6. How are my real estate taxes calculated?
7. If I mail my tax payment on the due date, is it going to be late?
8. How do you calculate the penalty on late payments?
9. What happens if I do not pay my real estate taxes?
10. Can I pay my delinquent tax in payments?
11. Can I pay my taxes with a credit card?
12. May I pay my half-year tax bill in more than one payment? Can I pay my taxes in advance?
13. When are taxes due?
14. Are there tax breaks for Senior Citizens?
15. What are my tax rates?
16. Can I get a paid receipt for taxes sent by mail?
1. Where is your office and when are you open?
Answer: We are located at 109 S. Washington St., Suite 2105 in the RTA Building. Our office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, closed Federal Holidays.
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2. I received my tax bill in the mail. It is supposed to be paid by my bank. What do I do?
Answer: This commonly happens if you have recently refinanced or have in any way changed the information on your tax bill. We suggest you immediately forward the tax bill to your lender. To correct our records, please forward in writing the name of your lender, their address and your loan number.
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3. I received a bill for property I just sold, what should I do?
Answer: Normally at the time of closing, taxes are pro-rated to the new owner and the seller is no longer responsible for the payment of any further taxes. Please forward the bill to the new owner OR contact our office so that we can prepare another bill to be sent to the responsible taxpayer.
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4. I have received a bill for property I just purchased and I noticed the bill states it is for last year, am I responsible for the payment of these taxes?
Answer: In the State of Ohio, real estate taxes are collected one year behind. Therefore, in 2007 we collect for 2006, 2008 we collect for 2007, etc. You will need to check your closing statement or with your closing agent to determine if you are to pay this bill but normally taxes are pro-rated to the new owner at the time of the sale. Any tax that comes due after your purchase date then becomes your liability to pay.
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5. I didn’t receive a tax bill, what should I do?
Answer: It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to notify the Treasurer’s office of any address change for billing purposes. Please inform our office in writing (109 South Washington Street, Suite 2105, Tiffin, Ohio 44883). Please contact our office immediately if you do not receive your tax statement.
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6. How are my real estate taxes calculated?
Answer: As required by the Ohio Revised, the Auditor’s office establishes a market value for all properties in Seneca County. The full year real estate tax is then computed by first multiplying the assessed value (35% of the market value) by the total tax rate of the district in which the property is located. This gross tax is then multiplied by the district reduction factor (either residential/agricultural OR commercial/industrial) to determine the reduction credit. The reduction credit is subtracted from the gross tax giving you the net tax amount. All properties receive a 10% credit from the net amount. Owner occupied property is eligible for an additional 2 ½% credit on the assessed value of the home and the homesite (up to one acre). Taxpayers eligible for the homestead exemption (applications can be obtained at the County Auditor’s office) will have an additional credit. The net tax, minus all credits and plus any special assessments, is the balance owed for the full year.
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7. If I mail my tax payment on the due date, is it going to be late?
Answer: No. The Ohio Revised Code states that the Postmark or Postal Cancellation of the due date is considered to be timely paid. A private metered date of the due date is not sufficient. We are required to use the US Postal Cancellation date.
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8. How do you calculate the penalty on late payments?
Answer: After the first half due date, 10% of the unpaid current tax is added as penalty. If payment is received within 10 days of the due date, 5% of the penalty is removed. After the second half due date, 10% of any unpaid current tax/penalty is added as penalty. If payment is received within 10 days of the due date, 5% of the penalty is removed. On August 1 of each year, interest as mandated by State Law (refer to tax rate sheet) is charged only on the prior taxes due. On December 1 of each year, the balance of interest is charged against the total amount due.
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9. What happens if I do not pay my real estate taxes?
Answer: A delinquent bill is mailed in late September, early October. If the tax is not paid and has just gone delinquent, your name will appear in the Delinquent Tax List that is published in the local paper. If the tax is not paid by the next November, it is certified to the County Prosecutor to start foreclosure actions.
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10. Can I pay my delinquent tax in payments?
Answer: Yes. You may enter into a written contract with the County Treasurer that will allow you to pay your delinquent tax in installments and at the same must keep your current tax paid. Once you initiate a contract, interest & penalty are held in escrow. When your contract is paid off, the interest/penalty amounts are removed. If you default on your contract, the interest/penalty held in escrow are added back to your taxes.
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11. Can I pay my taxes with a credit card?
Answer: Yes, you can pay your taxes with a credit card. However, there is a small service fee of 2.75% that will be assessed to any Visa, Master Card, or Discover Card transactions processed for tax payment. Credit card payments can only be made in person by the taxpayer at the Treasurer's office located at 109 S. Washington Street, Suite 2105 in the RTA Building.
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12. May I pay my half-year tax bill in more than one payment? Can I pay my taxes in advance?
Answer: If you enroll in our Real Estate Tax Escrow Program, you can make monthly payments on your taxes instead of using the semi yearly method. For further information, please contact our office at treasurer@senecacountytreasurer.com.
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Answer: The actual payment date changes from year to year but the first half is usually due the mid part of February and the second half is due the mid part of July.
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14. Are there tax breaks for senior citizens?
Answer: The Homestead Exemption is an option.
You may qualify for the Homestead Exemption if:
1. You are 65 or older or are permanently disabled.
2. You are a surviving spouse between 59 and 64 whose property was already receiving the exemption.
3. You own and live in the residence receiving the exemption.
4. Make application for exemption by the 1st Monday in June.
Applications for this exemption can be obtained from the County Auditor's office.
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15. What are my tax rates?
Answer: You can view the current tax rates online by clicking HERE.
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16. Can I get a paid receipt for taxes sent by mail?
Answer: Yes. Please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the entire tax bill and payment.
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