Property owners in central Ohio will see notable changes to property tax payment schedules beginning in 2026, as officials in Franklin County revise due dates and Delaware County advances the start of its billing cycle. County leaders emphasized that the adjustments are designed to improve administrative efficiency and provide taxpayers with more time to prepare payments, without altering the total amounts owed or disrupting existing payment plans.
Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan and County Auditor Michael Stinziano announced modifications to the county’s 2026 property tax calendar, marking a shift from long-standing deadlines. Under the new schedule, the first-half property tax payment will be due on Feb. 28. Because that date falls on a Saturday in 2026, payments will be accepted on the next business day, March 2. Property owners will continue to have the option of paying the full year’s tax amount by the first-half deadline, consistent with current practice.
County officials stated that the revised timeline is intended to create a larger window between the mailing of tax bills and their due dates, offering residents additional time to review and submit payments. Brooks Sullivan said the change reflects an ongoing effort to improve service and streamline processing for Franklin County taxpayers. The previous first-half and second-half deadlines of Jan. 31 and June 20 will no longer apply once the new schedule takes effect.
The second-half payment in Franklin County will be due no earlier than July 20, though the exact date has not yet been finalized. The uncertainty stems from the recent passage of Ohio House Bill 186, a property tax measure signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on Dec. 19. County officials are still evaluating how specific provisions of the legislation will be implemented, including how they may affect billing timelines. As a result, the precise second-half due date will be announced once those details are resolved.
Taxpayers who pay property taxes through mortgage escrow accounts are encouraged to notify their mortgage lenders of the upcoming changes to ensure accurate disbursement schedules. Other residents are advised to confirm that their mailing address is current with the treasurer’s office and to review any automatic payment arrangements with their financial institutions. Franklin County taxpayers seeking additional information or assistance may contact the Treasurer’s Office customer service line at (614) 525-3438.
In neighboring Delaware County, property owners are already seeing an earlier start to the tax billing process. Treasurer Ken O’Brien announced that first-half property tax bills are now available online, following the release of approved tax rates by the Ohio Department of Taxation. According to the treasurer’s office, the prompt processing of rates allowed bills for the county’s 98,060 parcels to be posted shortly after the beginning of the new year.
Delaware County taxpayers may access electronic copies of their bills through the treasurer’s website after Jan. 1. O’Brien credited the county auditor’s office for its assistance in preparing the tax rates used to generate the bills. First-half payments in Delaware County are due by Feb. 10, and paper bills are scheduled to be mailed by Jan. 15.
Residents in Delaware County can pay their property taxes online using an eCheck option, which carries a transaction fee of $0.85, or in person at the Treasurer’s Office located on the second floor of the Hayes Building at 145 N. Union St. in Delaware. Officials noted that payment options and deadlines remain unchanged despite the earlier availability of billing information.
Looking ahead to second-half tax bills, O’Brien acknowledged that the implementation of House Bill 186 presents timing challenges for county treasurers statewide. Traditionally, second-half bills are calculated by late May or early June, with a targeted due date around July 10. This year, however, the process is expected to take longer. While the treasurer’s office will comply with the law’s mandatory 20-day notice requirement, the customary goal of providing more than 30 days’ notice may not be met.
Delaware County property owners are encouraged to monitor the treasurer’s website for updates and to contact the office directly at (740) 833-2480 or via email at [email protected] for the most current and accurate information regarding payment schedules.
