Thousands of property owners affected by the Memorial Day tornado disaster could be eligible for a break on their 2020 tax bills. Greene, Mercer and Montgomery County officials are urging people with storm-damaged property to apply for help under a state tax-relief program.
Emergency officials are still working to assess the economic impact of the storm.
Preliminary estimates show at least 3,500 homes and businesses were damaged across Mercer, Greene and Montgomery Counties.
Throughout the summer, assessors are expected to canvass neighborhoods documenting home and business values, says Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith.
He says the state’s tax relief program is designed to help property owners recover from the disaster.
“This is going to have an impact on people and their home is their greatest investment in a lot of cases. And so this is going to have a long standing impact on people -- people who have been displaced, people who have lost everything,” he says.
Keith says Miami Valley property owners with tornado damage should apply for a tax reduction as soon as possible.
Forms are available at county auditors’ offices, by mail or online.
“We’re trying to reach every property owner who was impacted by last week’s tornadoes,” Greene County Auditor David Graham says. “If you know someone who was a victim of the tornadoes, please reach out and let them know they should apply for the damaged property deduction.”
Click here for Greene County, here for Montgomery County, and here for Mercer.
Any reductions would show up next year on property owners’ first half 2020 tax bills.
The state requires relief forms to be notarized, which is possible at county auditors' offices during normal business hours.
“It is very important that affected property owners complete the damaged property form,” said Keith. “This program offers substantial tax relief for many tornado victims.”
Anyone unable to make current tax payments due to the tornadoes may also be eligible for a tax-repayment plan.
In Montgomery County, contact the Treasurer's Office at 937-225-4010 (Option 2) to find out more.
Property owners should contact their county auditor’s office if they have questions about the damaged property deduction: Montgomery County: 937-225-4326; Greene County: 937-562-5065; Miami County: 937-440-5925; Mercer County: 419-586-9425.
