Hardin County Auditor

Michael T. Bacon

Real estate taxes

Real Estate taxes are “ad valorem” taxes. This means that they are based on the fair market value of the property. The County Auditor is responsible for determining this value by studying the market people create as they buy and sell property. The Ohio Department of Taxation orders the Auditor to adjust property values to reflect the market every three years.

Real estate taxes support local services and facilities such as: schools, roads, fire departments, park districts, and county, city, village and township governments. Mental health services, child protective services and services for the mentally handicapped are largely dependent on real estate tax levies.

Real estate taxes are calculated by multiplying the market value times 35% and then applying the correct tax rate corresponding to the location of the property. There are 43 taxing districts in Hardin County, each with its own rate. The tax rate is comprised of voted and unvoted levies. In Ohio, no property owner may be charged with more than 10 mills of unvoted levies which are imposed by the local governments and school boards. Voters determine the voted portion of the tax rate when they cast their vote.

Reduced Real Estate Taxes

Homeowners – reduce your real estate taxes!

Apply for the 2 1/2% rollback. To receive this tax reduction, you must meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements

  • Own and live in your home as of January 1 of this year.
  • Occupy your home as your principal place of residence.
  • Make one-time application before the first Monday in June this year.

Please go to Forms / Publications to print an Application for Tax Reduction on Home (DTE 105C) (under Real Estate).

Destroyed Property

Damage to either real property or manufactured homes must be reported to us at the county auditor’s office for you to receive tax relief on next year’s taxes. Damage resulting from either demolition or natural disasters such as fire, tornado, or flooding can be reported. Landlords may report damage caused by tenants. Tax relief is extended according to the following schedule. Please go to Forms / Publications to print an application for Valuation Deduction for Destroyed or Damaged Real Property (under Real Estate).

 

Calendar quarter in which property was damagedApplication deadlinePercentage deduction allowed
January-MarchDecember 31100%
April-JuneDecember 3175%
July-SeptemberDecember 3150%
October-DecemberJanuary 3125%

Destroyed Property

Real estate owners may appeal the property value used to calculate their taxes between January 1 and March 31. They are entitled to a hearing before the County Board of Revision. Please go to forms/publications to obtain a complaint form and/or the official rules for filing a valuation complaint before the Board.

Please go to Forms / Publications to print a Complaint against the Valuation of Real Property (under Real Estate).

Search Court Records

To search court records, click the button below to go to the Hardin Courts website. 

Upon arrival click on the court whose records you wish to search.  

Credit Card Payments

Enjoy the convenience, flexibility, and rewards of credit card payments for Real Estate, Personal Property and Mobile Home taxes. In cooperation with Hardin County, PayGov offers individuals and businesses the opportunity to pay taxes by telephone or directly over the Internet.

This service is safe, reliable and in accordance with all state and government regulations. In order to process your payment, PayGov, the credit card service provider, charges a nominal convenience fee based on the amount of the transaction. Hardin County does not retain any portion of this fee.

To make a payment by telephone call 1-866-480-8552 and a live operator will assist you.

To make a payment by credit card online Click Here to get started

Here is what you will need:

  • Your Tax Bill
  • Your Credit Card

Tax Installment Prepay Plan

The Tax Installment Prepay (TIP) Plan divides the Annual Real Estate Taxes in 12 portions. Taxpayers receive a coupon book with ten (10) coupons, enough for the entire year. The taxpayer makes five (5) installments per half and then the final bill shows the Half Tax less all prepayments and the balance due. There is no penalty if one of the payments is late or missed as long as the total Half Tax in paid in full prior to the closing date for that half.

To be eligible for this TIP Plan a taxpayer needs to have their taxes paid for the current Tax Year.

If you are interested in getting started on the Tax Installment Prepay (TIP) Plan please contact our office.

Coroner's Office

Hardin County Coroner
Aaron M. Fritz, MD
1025 S. Main Street
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: (740) 978-6208
aaron.fritz@hardincountyohio.gov
Hours: all times

The key job responsibility is to determine the manner and cause of deaths, often by performing autopsies. During autopsies, coroners inspect the body of a deceased person to identify marks or other empirical evidence that indicates how he or she died. Other specific job duties include visiting death scenes, identifying human remains, supervising the transportation of corpses, operating crime scene equipment, completing death certificates and notifying next of kin.

Victim Assistance

Tracy Wright
Hardin County Victim Assistance
Prosecutor’s Office
One Courthouse Square, Suite 50
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419 674 2277
Email
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8.00am – 3.30pm

The office of the Hardin County Prosecutor has a Victim Assistance Program to assist victims of crime throughout their dealings with the criminal justice system.

Victims of crime can be left feeling alone, afraid, frustrated, angry and violated. The victim’s advocate is here to help you and we will make every effort to ensure victims receive timely notification of scheduled changes that involve their case.

The Victim Assistance Program is currently funded 100% by the SVAA (State victim Assistance) Grant through the Ohio attorney Generals Office. A new grant is written each year to keep the program in operation.
Go to the website for forms and more information.

Domestic Relations Court

One Courthouse Square
Suite 210
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419 674 2233
Fax: 419 675 2941

Go to the website

Municipal Court

P.O. Box 250
111 W. Franklin Street
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419 674 4362
Fax: 419 674 4096
Hours:

Go to the website

Probate Court

One Courthouse Square

Suite 210
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419 674 2230
Fax: 419 674 2274
Email

Records birth certificates, marriage licenses, guardianships, wills, adoptions, and estates. Same Judge also serves Juvenile Court.

Go to the website

Ditch Maintenance and Tax Map

Phone: (419) 674-2225
Email the Tax Map Dept
Email the Ditch Maintenance Dept
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00-4:00

Keeps a variety of maps and records. Checks legal descriptions of property and deeds. Checks land contracts for attorneys and real estate agents to determine if the contracts accurately describe the property and deeds. Maintains the county’s 166 petitioned ditches.

Emergency Management Agency

Keith Severns, Director
1025 South Main Street
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419 674 2276
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00am – 4.30pm

Email EMA

GIS

One Courthouse Square Suite 180
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419 673 2984
Email: Nathan Saylor, GIS Coordinator
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 – 4:00

Geographical Information Systems; creates maps using data and statistics available from various sources in the county.

Go to the parcel mapping website
Go to the products and FAQ website

I.T.

Hardin County’s IT Department is now a Contracted Service .

Maintenance

Hardin County Courthouse Maintenance
Richard A. Lawson
One Courthouse Square
Suite 90
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone: 419-674-2210
Mail Maintenance
Hours: Mon-Fri, 6.30 – 4pm

The goal of the maintenance department is “To preserve and maintain the facilities that belong to all residents of Hardin County in an economic manner and to ensure that these public buildings remain for many years to come.

As an employee of the commissioners, supervisor Richard Lawson is charged with this task. The Courthouse, Courthouse Annex, Title Building and Safety Center are the main responsibility of this department. At times our services are rendered at the Transfer Station, Dog Pound and Lifeworks.

Duties include but are not limited to assisting office staff, scheduling and oversee service contractors, general repairs, minor construction, grounds care, etc. The maintenance staff is also responsible for decorating the courthouse for the Christmas season.

Unclaimed Funds

Unclaimed funds are funds that have left the possession of its rightful owner without having directly entered into the possession of another person. Examples of these funds are utility deposits, inheritance bequests, forgotten bank accounts, insurance claims, etc. If you believe you are entitled to such funds, please go to the State of Ohio Unclaimed Funds to collect them.