Record $2.3 Billion collected in property taxes. But a few of you didn’t pay…

It’s no secret the Columbus-area real estate market has been on a tear. As a result, the Franklin County tax man raked in a record 2.33 Billion in property taxes for 2016. To the dismay of property owners that number is sure to climb after the recent record property reassessments.

Yet, not everyone pays their “fair share” and those individuals are immortalized in the annual publication of the county tax delinquents, available here and searchable by name. Publication of the list is mandated by state law.

“When someone sees their name on the list and didn’t expect it to be there, it can be embarrassing, said Dave O’Neil, County Auditor spokesperson. “We’re not trying to embarrass anyone, we just want fair compliance.”

This year the list carries 12,152 properties and $24.07 million in unpaid property taxes. Surprisingly, this amounts to only 1% of the total taxes collected. According to O’Neil, that 1% is pretty low compared to other counties due to Central Ohio weathering the Great recession as well as it did.

While appearing on the list can be embarrassing, it is effective. Last year, delinquents coughed up nearly $8 million of the $22 owed in just one month after the list went public.

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