Some Medina County property owners leave Ohio in the winter for warmer climates. Commonly known as snowbirds, these taxpayers often have their mail forwarded from their primary Medina County residence to their winter home. In January, this probably includes such mail as your real estate tax bill.

If you are one of these snowbirds please be aware that forwarding mail takes additional time at the post office and this may delay the arrival of your real estate property tax bill.

First-half tax bills are usually mailed during January with a due date in early February. Ohio law states that the taxpayer is ultimately responsible for paying their real estate taxes on time, whether or not they receive a tax bill.

At the Treasurer’s Office, we are always trying to provide information and better customer service. Taxpayers have the ability to look up their real estate tax bill online and make payments on our website at medinacountytreasurer.com. If you are concerned that you have not received your tax bill in January, visit the website or call 330.725.9748 to check.
 
Options for Making Tax Payments
Online tax payments are easy, safe, fast and convenient. On our website, you can pay your tax bill anytime – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Just go online to the Treasurer’s website at medinacountytreasurer.com and click on the left hand tab “Search and Pay Taxes” to find your tax bill amount and payment options. You can also review your payment history and print receipts.

There are several online tax payment options from which to choose. You can pay by using e-check (electronic check) which allows homeowners to pay directly from their bank account at any time. There is a $0.50 fee paid to the vendor for using this option.

Taxpayers can also use their PayPal account or credit card. A fee of 2.25% is charged by the vendor for these options and the County does not receive any of the fees charged. MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express credit cards are accepted online. You can also pay with a credit card by phone by calling 888.607.8389. Be aware that American Express is not accepted over the phone.  

There is also a “bill me later” option with PayPal that allows the tax bill amount to be paid on “PayPal credit.” There are no payments or interest charges if you pay it off in full within 6 months. The normal 2.25% fee does apply to using this option. We have seen many taxpayers use this option which allows them extra time to pay, avoiding missing the due date and the 10% late penalty charge.

Of course, taxpayers can always make their tax payments in person at the Treasurer’s Office located at 144 N. Broadway Street in Medina. Any payments made by mail must be postmarked by the due date. There are also four drop boxes for tax payments located outside of the County Administration Building in Medina, Wadsworth Municipal Building, Brunswick City Hall and Lodi Library. Remember to include your tax bill stub with your payment.

If you are late in paying your tax bill and are assessed a late penalty fee by the Auditor, you may be able to get it removed by filing a Remission of Penalty form. This form can be obtained and filed at our Treasurer’s Office.
If you have any questions about your tax bill you may call the Treasurer’s Office at 330.725.9748 or email us [email protected].

Medina County Treasurer John Burke reported this week that taxpayers are trying to prepay their 2018 real estate property taxes by December 31, 2017 to get the most from itemized tax deductions on their 2017 IRS tax return.

According to numerous sources, the new federal tax law passed by Congress and the President will limit the federal itemized deductions for state and local income tax and real estate property tax to $10,000 in the future. “The new tax law has caused a flurry of activity in the Treasurer’s Office. People are trying to pay their next year property taxes now before the end of 2017,” said Burke. The Treasurer also stated that payments for multiple future years will not be accepted.

As of Monday, the Treasurer’s Office had not received the new calculated taxes to be sent out in 2018. But this should not stop taxpayers from prepaying their taxes if they wish, according to Burke. Taxpayers can pay the same amount of property tax they paid in 2017 as an estimate. When the Treasurer receives the new 2018 tax bill amounts from the Auditor, if there is any balance due because of new levies etc., it will be billed at that time.

Of course, taxpayers can pay their taxes in person at the Treasurer’s Office. Hours are weekdays 8 am to 4:30 pm. If tax payments are mailed they must postmarked by December 31, 2017 for yearend payment.  

Taxpayers can pay their property taxes right up to midnight on December 31st by using the County Treasurer’s website. Just go to medinacountytreasurer.com and select “Search and Pay Taxes” on the left. Then you can search for your property by name, address or parcel number. Once you locate your property select “view” and it will show your last property tax bill and if it was paid. Then select “Add to Cart” and a box will come up to enter the dollar amount you wish to pay.

There are numerous ways to make a payment. You can use an electronic check which has a fee of fifty cents or you can use a credit card or PayPal account which has a fee of 2.25% of the payment amount. These fees go to the vendor or bank. The County does not receive any of the fees.

Some taxpayers have recently asked to pay property taxes for several years in advance. “According to Ohio Revised Code taxpayers can only prepay one year of property taxes, so that means we can only take a payment amount for 2018 taxes by December 31, 2017 yearend,” said Burke.

The Treasurer’s office can be reached by calling 330-725-9748, sending an email to [email protected] or by stopping by the office in the County Administration Building.