Your Clark County Property Value Just Went Up 32% — Now What?
A homestead exemption and property tax guide for Springfield, Enon, and Clark County homeowners from Douglas Haney & The Haney Group.
Talk to Douglas Haney & The Haney GroupPublished July 2026 · Updated July 2026 · By Douglas Haney & The Haney Group, Springfield, OH
Douglas Haney leads The Haney Group at Coldwell Banker Heritage, working alongside Lisa Ackerman, Brad Shuman, and Amanda Russell to help buyers and sellers navigate Springfield, Enon, and the greater Dayton-area market every day.
Quick Answer
Clark County property values rose an average of 32% for 2026, but that does not mean your tax bill rises 32% too — Ohio's effective tax rate law (House Bill 920) keeps most levies from generating a windfall just because values went up. Homeowners 65 or older, permanently disabled, or a qualifying surviving spouse can also apply for Ohio's homestead exemption, which shields up to $25,000 of a home's value from taxation.
If you own a home in Springfield, Enon, or anywhere else in Clark County, you've probably already heard the number: property values are up an average of 32% for 2026. Clark County Auditor Hillary Hamilton has been straightforward about what that means and, just as importantly, what it doesn't mean. A higher valuation notice is not the same thing as a 32% bigger tax bill.
We've had homeowners from downtown Springfield to Enon call us this month asking the same question: is it time to sell before taxes catch up with them? For some, the honest answer is "not necessarily" — there are real tools, including the homestead exemption, that can soften the impact for eligible homeowners. For others, a higher assessed value is a good reason to finally get a real read on what your home is actually worth on the market, which is a different number entirely from your taxable value.
This post walks through why your value went up, what actually happens to your tax bill, who qualifies for the homestead exemption, and what to do next — whether you're staying put in Clark County or weighing a move.
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32% Avg. Clark County value increase for 2026 |
$25,000 Home value shielded by the homestead exemption |
Dec. 31 Typical filing deadline for the homestead application |
Source: Springfield News-Sun, Clark County — 2026
Why Did My Clark County Property Value Go Up 32%?
Your value went up because Clark County just finished its state-mandated six-year reappraisal, the process Ohio law requires every county auditor to complete on a rotating schedule. According to the Springfield News-Sun, Auditor Hillary Hamilton's office used aerial and street-level imagery along with "boots-on-the-ground" appraisers who physically reviewed every property in the county. Some pockets of the county rose faster than others, which is why the 32% figure is an average, not a guarantee for any single home.
Every property owner will get a mailed notice with a tentative 2025 value in the coming months. If you think your number is off, you can request an informal hearing with the Auditor's office and bring sales or appraisal data to support your case — that window is roughly two months before final values are locked in.
Does a 32% Higher Value Mean a 32% Higher Tax Bill?
No — and this is the part that gets lost in the headline. Ohio has kept an "effective tax rate" system in place since 1976 under House Bill 920, specifically so that rising property values don't automatically translate into a proportional tax increase. As the Ohio Department of Taxation explains, most voted levies are adjusted down as values rise so the district collects roughly the same revenue it was already approved for. A 32% jump on your valuation notice is not the same as a 32% jump on your tax bill.
That said, your bill isn't frozen either. New levies on the ballot, inside millage (which is not subject to the effective rate adjustment), and new construction can still push your bill higher. Auditor Hamilton put it plainly in that same News-Sun report: "Your taxes do not go up that 32% if we raise your value 32%. The goal is to keep it down. It's not supposed to go up that much."
| Levy Type | What It Is | Effect on Your Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Levy | Up to 10 mills, not voter-approved | Moves proportionally with your value |
| Fixed-Rate Levy | Voter-approved rate | Rate adjusts down as values rise, keeping your bill roughly flat |
| Fixed-Sum Levy | Voter-approved, generates a set dollar amount | Value increases can lower the rate; value decreases can raise it |
Sources: Ohio Department of Taxation · Clark County Auditor
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❌ Myth My Clark County property value went up 32%, so my tax bill is going up 32% too. |
✅ Fact Ohio's effective tax rate law (House Bill 920) is designed to keep most voted levies from generating extra revenue just because values rose, so your bill typically increases by a much smaller percentage — though new levies, inside millage, and new construction can still add to it. |
📘 Free Guide: Buying or Selling a Home in Southwest & Central Ohio
If a higher valuation has you weighing your next move, our free guide walks through pricing, timing, and costs for Springfield-area homeowners.
Get the Free Guide💡 Haney Group Insight
Your taxable value and your home's actual market value are two different numbers. If your reappraisal notice has you wondering what your home would really sell for in today's market, talk with our team about listing before you assume the higher number means it's time to sell — or that it isn't.
Do I Qualify for Ohio's Homestead Exemption?
You generally qualify for the Ohio homestead exemption if you're at least 65 years old by December 31 of the exemption year, are certified permanently and totally disabled, or are a qualifying surviving spouse who was at least 59 when your spouse passed away — and you own and occupy the home as your principal residence. The exemption shields up to $25,000 of your home's market value from taxation. An income limit applies to most new applicants (it adjusts annually and lands in roughly the $40,000 range for recent tax years), though homeowners who were already approved before 2014 are grandfathered in without an income test. Because the exact current-year limit changes, confirm it directly with the Clark County Auditor's office before you apply.
What You'll Need to Apply for the Homestead Exemption
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Proof of age (65+) or a disability certification, Ohio form DTE 105E |
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Your prior-year Ohio or federal income tax return, or income documentation if you don't file |
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Your parcel number and taxing district from your most recent tax bill |
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A completed Ohio DTE 105A application, filed with the Clark County Auditor |
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Your signature (and your spouse's, if applicable) before the December 31 filing deadline |
What Happens After Your Reappraisal Notice Arrives?
What Happens After Your Reappraisal Notice Arrives
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Your tentative value notice arrives Clark County mails your tentative 2025 value in the coming months as part of the six-year reappraisal. |
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You request an informal hearing (if needed) You'll have roughly a two-month window to bring sales or appraisal data to the Auditor's office if your number looks off. |
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Final values go to the state The Auditor's office submits final valuations to the Ohio Department of Taxation by the end of October. |
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New tax rates are set In December, the Auditor's office receives new effective tax rates for the coming year. |
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You still have a formal appeal option If you still disagree once your bill arrives, Clark County's Board of Revision accepts formal complaints between January and March. |
What Does This Mean for Springfield, Enon, and the Rest of Clark County?
Springfield remains the anchor of everything we do, and it's also ground zero for this reappraisal story — the county's biggest city means the biggest share of affected homeowners. But this isn't just a Springfield story. Enon, a smaller Clark County community within our one-hour service area, is reappraised on the exact same countywide schedule, so Enon homeowners are seeing the same tentative-value notices and the same informal hearing window as everyone in downtown Springfield. If you're weighing a move within Enon real estate or sticking with Springfield, the same rules apply either way.
We're also fielding the same questions from clients in Dayton and Montgomery County, where reappraisal and update cycles run on their own separate timeline under the state's three-group rotation — worth checking with your own county auditor if you own property there too.
If you're weighing whether now's the moment to sell rather than ride out the new valuation, run the Clark County Auditor's tax estimator tool first, then request a market analysis from our team — your taxable value and your actual sale value are two different numbers, and you'll want both before deciding.
💡 Haney Group Insight
Thinking about buying in Clark County right now? A higher countywide valuation baseline doesn't change what a specific home is worth today — it just resets the tax math. Start your search with our home search portal so you're comparing real listings, not last year's numbers.
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"I've had three Clark County homeowners call me this month asking whether their higher valuation means they should sell right now. My answer is always the same — your taxable value and what a buyer will actually pay are two different numbers, so let's look at real comps before you decide anything." — Amanda Russell |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 32% higher property value mean my taxes go up 32% too?
No. Under Ohio's House Bill 920 effective tax rate law, most voted levies adjust downward when property values rise so that revenue collected stays roughly the same — meaning your tax bill typically rises by a much smaller percentage than your valuation, though new levies and inside millage can still add to your bill.
Who qualifies for Ohio's homestead exemption in 2026?
You generally qualify if you're at least 65 years old by December 31 of the exemption year, are permanently and totally disabled, or are a qualifying surviving spouse at least 59 years old at your spouse's death, and you own and occupy the home as your principal residence. Income limits apply unless you were grandfathered in before 2014.
How much does the homestead exemption save me?
The exemption shields up to $25,000 of your home's market value from property taxation. The actual dollar savings depends on your local tax rate, but Clark County homeowners have reported savings in the hundreds of dollars a year.
How do I apply for the homestead exemption in Clark County?
File Ohio form DTE 105A with the Clark County Auditor's office, generally by December 31, along with proof of age or a disability certification (form DTE 105E) if applicable. Contact the Auditor's office directly to confirm the current year's deadline and income limit.
What can I do if I think my new Clark County property value is too high?
You can request an informal hearing with the Auditor's office when your tentative value notice arrives, generally within about a two-month window, or file a formal complaint with the county Board of Revision between January and March.
Should I sell now that my property value has gone up in Clark County?
A higher assessed value doesn't automatically mean it's the right time to sell — that depends on your equity, your plans, and the local market. Douglas Haney & The Haney Group can run a current market analysis so you know your home's real sale value versus its taxable value.
Your Clark County reappraisal notice is real, and for many homeowners it will still mean a somewhat higher bill. But the 32% headline number and your actual tax increase are two very different figures, and the homestead exemption is a genuine tool for eligible homeowners in Springfield, Enon, and everywhere in between. Whether you're checking your eligibility, appealing a value, or wondering whether this is the moment to sell, Douglas Haney & The Haney Group can help you separate what's actually changing from what just looks scary on paper. Grab our free Complete Guide to Buying or Selling a Home in Southwest and Central Ohio, and reach out anytime to talk through your specific numbers.
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