Acton proposes Ohio property tax relief

Property taxes have become one of the defining issues in Ohio’s 2026 gubernatorial race as homeowners continue to face rising tax bills following higher home valuations and county reassessments.

Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton recently unveiled a plan that would provide targeted relief for seniors and middle-income homeowners while increasing state funding for public education.

The proposal comes as voters across Ohio rank housing affordability and property taxes among their top economic concerns.

Acton announced her proposal during campaign events across the state, arguing that many Ohio families have experienced significant increases in property tax bills despite remaining in the same homes for years. According to her campaign, the proposal focuses on helping homeowners who have seen rapid increases in property taxes while preserving funding for essential local services.

The issue has drawn attention from both major gubernatorial candidates, making property taxes one of the most closely watched policy debates ahead of the November election.

Ohio property taxes plan targets homeowners and seniors

Acton’s proposal includes several measures designed to reduce the burden of rising property taxes for qualifying homeowners.

The plan would:

• Expand Ohio’s Homestead Exemption by increasing the income eligibility threshold for seniors to $50,000.
• Create a rebate program for homeowners with household incomes below $132,000.
• Limit eligibility to owner-occupied homes valued at $350,000 or less.
• Provide rebates of up to $1,000 when annual property tax increases exceed 4 percent.
• Restrict the sale of delinquent property tax liens to private investors that charge high interest rates.
• Fully fund Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan to reduce school districts’ dependence on local property taxes.

Acton’s campaign argues that the proposal addresses both immediate affordability concerns and the long-term structure of Ohio’s property tax system.

According to The Blade, the campaign said many homeowners, especially retirees living on fixed incomes, have struggled to keep pace with rapidly increasing tax bills resulting from rising property values. The newspaper reported that the proposal seeks to prevent homeowners from being priced out of their homes while maintaining support for local schools.

The campaign also emphasized that property tax relief should not come at the expense of police, fire departments, libraries, or other community services that rely on local tax revenue.

Why Ohio property taxes continue to rise

Ohio homeowners have experienced higher tax bills in recent years because many counties have completed property reappraisals and valuation updates reflecting increased home prices.

Although local governments do not automatically receive proportional revenue increases due to Ohio’s tax reduction factors, many homeowners have still seen larger tax bills because of new levies approved by voters, changes in property values, and varying local tax rates.

Property taxes primarily fund:

• Public schools
• County governments
• Cities and townships
• Police and fire protection
• Libraries
• Park districts
• Other local services

The debate has intensified as inflation and higher housing costs continue to affect household budgets across the state.

According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio offers several existing property tax relief programs, including the Homestead Exemption for qualifying seniors and individuals with disabilities. Acton’s proposal would expand eligibility for that existing program while introducing additional homeowner rebates.

The campaign also argues that fully implementing the Fair School Funding Plan would shift a greater share of education funding to the state budget. Supporters say doing so could reduce local districts’ reliance on property tax levies over time.

Ohio property taxes become a major campaign issue

Property taxes have become a central campaign issue for both Democratic and Republican candidates for governor.

According to Ohio Capital Journal, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has also pledged property tax relief but has proposed a different approach. Earlier in the campaign, he called for eliminating property taxes before later advocating a rollback toward approximately 2020 tax levels and limiting future increases while preserving funding for essential local services.

The two candidates generally agree that homeowners need relief but differ on how to achieve it.

Acton’s proposal focuses on targeted assistance based on household income, home value, and tax increases. She also links long-term relief to increased state investment in education funding.

Republican leaders in the Ohio General Assembly have also considered several property tax reform proposals during the current legislative session. Lawmakers continue to debate measures involving levy changes, tax credits, valuation limits, and homeowner protections.

No comprehensive statewide property tax overhaul has yet become law.

What the proposal could mean for Cincinnati homeowners

Property tax concerns extend throughout Hamilton County, where many homeowners have experienced higher property assessments in recent years.

For Cincinnati residents, any statewide property tax changes could affect future tax bills, school funding, and local government finances.

Experts note that any proposal would still require approval from the Ohio General Assembly before becoming law. As a result, the plan remains a campaign proposal rather than enacted policy.

Voters are expected to hear additional details from both gubernatorial candidates as the election approaches. Property taxes, housing affordability, education funding, and local government finances are likely to remain major issues throughout the campaign.

Residents seeking information about current Ohio property tax programs can review eligibility requirements through the Ohio Department of Taxation.