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Friday, September 22, 2017

After Long Fight, Some Farmers Get Relief From High Property Taxes

NEW BAVARIA, Ohio — Tony Giesige proudly points to the corn and beans growing on the northwest Ohio land that has been in his family for three generations. He shows off his tax bills too, but those are a source of pain rather than pride.

Giesige’s agricultural property tax bill was $311 in 2005. By 2011 it was up to $1,731. And by 2014 it had reached $3,871, while at the same time, crop prices declined. “The way it was all factored in, the last two years the prices have gone down quite a bit and the taxes are still there,” he said, holding a sheaf of bills with calculations written in pencil in the margins.

His total tax bill for fiscal 2017 was $11,815, he said, including 180 acres of lush green and gold fields of corn and soybeans, and his modest home. The taxes on the house, $711 this year, have actually declined, because Giesige, 68, is now eligible for a senior citizens’ homestead tax exemption.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That will never happen here with all the speculating developers in with the politicians.

Anonymous said...

huh? senior's homestead act is here in MD and saves me HALF on taxes each/every year. ONLY tricky thing about it - you must apply every year. MD will not automatically provide it (which is nuts), but greed takes over common sense every damn day in MD.

By the way, 6 days until TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!