Ottawa County, Ohio Developed by Schneider Geospatial
Home Tax Search Tax Rates General Info Profile Tax Forms FAQs Contact Us County Home

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What do I owe?
  2. When are taxes due?
  3. Is a post mark acceptable?
  4. Is there a penalty if I don’t pay my taxes?
  5. What if I can't afford to pay my delinquency? Is there a payment plan available?
  6. Where can I make payments?
  7. Do you take credit cards?
  8. I did not receive a bill. What should I do?
  9. How do I change my mailing address?
  10. On my tax bill, what if my name is mispelled or I need other information changed?
  11. Do you sell real property for taxes owed?
  12. There are two amounts listed on the bill. Which one do I pay?
  13. How is my tax bill calculated?
  14. Who do I contact regarding the calculations of special assessments?
  15. What do I do if I want to add or delete my bank account that currently has my taxes under an escrow agreement?
  16. I recently purchased my home. How do I determine if the taxes were paid by the previous owner?
  17. How does the 10% penalty get calculated?

What do I owe?


You can view your tax bill online at this website [start here] or call our office at (419) 734-6750.

Back to Top

When are taxes due?


Bills are issued twice a year; once in January/February and a second in June/July. The exact closing date for each collection varies and is on your tax bill.

Back to Top

Is a post mark acceptable?


Yes, a post mark is acceptable.

Back to Top

Is there a penalty if I don't pay my taxes?


Ohio Revised Code 323.17 requires a penalty of 10% be added to your current taxes due if not paid by the due date. The penalty is compounded and interest is added for a full year delinquency if not paid by December of that year. If you think you are going to be late, you may consider paying by credit card, or you can talk to someone in the Treasurer's Office at (419) 734-6750.

Back to Top

What if I can't afford to pay my delinquency? Is there a payment plan available?


For delinquent taxpayers, the Ottawa Treasurer's office can offer a payment plan. Please contact the Treasurer's Office at (419) 734-6750 for more information.

Back to Top

Where can I make payments


  1. Payment drop box located on Jefferson Street at the courthouse entrance
  2. Room 201 Ottawa County Courthouse
  3. Online by credit card. [start here]

Back to Top

Do you take credit cards


Yes, you can pay by credit card online via OfficialPayments.com. The link will be on your property's tax detail page. [start here] Note: OfficialPayments.com charges a fee for the online payment service. Neither the Treasurer's Office nor Ottawa County are allowed to charge a fee and therefore do not receive any of the income generated by it.

Back to Top

I did not receive a bill. What should I do


It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure the prompt payment of any taxes. If you have not received a tax bill by mail, please call the Treasurer's Office at (419) 734-6750. Also remember, it is the taxpayer's responsibility to notify the Treasurer's Office of a change of address.

Back to Top

How do I change my mailing address?


This must be done in writing. Please complete our change of address form.

Back to Top

On my tax bill, what if my name is mispelled or I need other information changed?


Call the Ottawa County Recorder's Office at (419) 734-6730 to have the deed information checked. The Treasurer's Office can only change the mailing address information.

Back to Top

Do you sell real property for taxes owed?


Real property cannot be sold for the dollar amount owed in back taxes. However, if the taxes owed are two years delinquent and a payment plan has not been followed to bring the taxes current, the property may be sold at Sheriff's sale by the Treasurer, for 2/3 of the appraised value, unless the taxpayer has filed for bankruptcy protection. Tax lien sales are conducted in Ottawa County.

Example: If a property is worth $100,000.00 and there are taxes due for $5,000.00, we cannot sell the property for $5,000.00.

Back to Top

There are two amounts listed on the bill. Which one do I pay?


In February, you may choose to pay only the first half or the whole year. If you pay the whole year, you will not receive another bill until January of the next year. If you pay the half year, you will receive a bill in June, due in July of that year. In either case, the total amount you pay is the same.

Back to Top

How is my tax bill calculated?


For an explanation of how your property taxes are calculated, read our Tax Rates Page.

Back to Top

Who do I contact regarding the calculations of special assessments?


For questions regarding Regional Water & Sewer special assessments, please contact Ottawa County Sanitary Engineers office at (419) 734-6725. For all other questions regarding special assessments charges, please contact the Auditor's Office at (419) 734-6740.

Back to Top

What do I do if I want to add or delete my bank account that currently has my taxes under an escrow agreement?


Please call the Treasurer's Office.

Back to Top

I recently purchased my home. How do I determine if the taxes were paid by the previous owner?


Call the Treasurer's Office to see if the taxes have been paid by the title company or any other agency that closed your purchase. If they haven't, check your settlement statement for a tax proration and subsequent credit against the closing expenses or call the closing agent.

Back to Top

How does the 10% penalty get calculated?


There is a 10% penalty on current year late payments. Interest is added on August 1 to all prior year delinquencies and on December 1 to all taxes that are due, both current and past.

Back to Top

Disclaimer: Records from the Office of the Treasurer are public information under the Ohio Public Records Law.