Board of Revision
Contact Information:
ATTN: BOARD OF REVISION
ROGER A. CORLETT, CPA, AUDITOR
25 W JEFFERSON ST
JEFFERSON OH 44047-1092
Phone: (440) 576-3749
FAX: (440) 576-3446
bor@ashtabulacounty.us
The Complaint Process
Tax bills reflect the values established by the County Auditor as of January 1, of the prior year. Tax dollars may have changed due to levies passed in recent elections.
Property owners may ask for valuation changes through the Ashtabula County Board of Revision. The Board of Revision adjusts values not tax dollars.
The Board of Revision has three members; the County Auditor, the County Treasurer and the President of the County Commissioners or their designees.
To contest your valuation you must file a complaint form at the County Auditor's office, with the Board of Revision, between January 1 and March 31 of the current year. Complaint forms and information packets can be obtained in the Auditor’s Office at 25 W Jefferson St of the County Courthouse or by calling (440) 576-3749.
Complaint Forms
The filing of a complaint is an initiation of a legal proceeding. Please read the instructions on the back of the complaint form and the Board of Revision Rules of Practice and Procedure. An incomplete or flawed form may result in a dismissal.
If you have any questions regarding the filing of a complaint please consult your attorney. It is unlawful for Auditor’s employees to give legal advice. Generally, the Ohio Revised Code allows only one filing in a triennial (3 year) period.Please bear in mind that once a complaint form has been filed by the owner or his/her attorney and later withdrawn, it will count as an official filing for this triennial period.
Proving Your Case
The burden of proof is on the complainant, usually the property owner. Failure to meet that burden may result in no change in value or possibly an increase in value. The Board of Revision has the authority to increase, decrease or make no change in the valuation of your property. Based on Ohio case law, the Board of Revision cannot and will not consider the following in their decision:
 | a percentage of increase in your taxes, and |
| the difference between your valuation and your neighbor's valuation. |
The Board will determine the fair market value of your property based on the information submitted to them. The Board can consider:
| sales of similar properties, |
| independent fee appraisals, |
| estimates of cost to repair deficiencies in your property, |
| if the property has recently been sold, supporting documentation such as the closing statement and purchase contract, and |
| if the property is income producing, income and expense statements. |
Owner of Record
The owner of record (or deeded owner) as of the date of filing must be on Line 1 of the complaint form. Line 2 and Line 5 must be specific if the filer is other than the owner.
Multiple Parcels
Parcels must be contiguous and/or one economic unit and in the same taxing district, and have identical ownership. When in doubt, file separate complaints.
Hearing Notification
You will be notified by certified mail not less than ten days in advance of the date and time of your hearing. If a continuance is needed, notify the Chief Clerk of the Board of Revision immediately. The Board of Revision has instructed the Chief Clerk to fully comply with their rules that continuances only be granted in extreme circumstances.
6-21-2004