J. CRAIG SNODGRASS, CPA, CGFM
Lorain County Auditor | Lorain County, Ohio
What is HB 186 in simple terms? HB 186 is a law, enacted by the Ohio state legislature, meant to slow down how fast your property taxes can go up when your home value increases. It does this by limiting certain tax increases to roughly the rate of inflation.
When did this law start? HB 186 took effect on March 20, 2026.
Why did lawmakers pass HB 186? The goal was to give homeowners relief from rapid property tax increases, especially after property values go up sharply.
Will my property taxes go down? Not necessarily. This law usually doesn’t lower your taxes—it mainly limits how much they can increase in certain situations.
Did HB 186 change my property's value? No. HB 186 did not change your property's appraised value. Property values are established through Ohio's appraisal and update process. The legislation changed certain tax calculations and credits—not the value of your property.
How does the law actually limit my taxes? If your property value goes up and that would cause your school taxes to jump more than inflation, the law gives you a credit to reduce that increase.
What is the “Inflation Cap Credit”? The Inflation Cap Credit (ICC) is a credit applied to your tax bill if your taxes increase faster than inflation after a property reappraisal.
Do I need to apply for this credit? No. It’s applied automatically if you qualify.
Will I see this on my tax bill? Yes. In Lorain County, if you qualify, the credit will appear as INFLATION CAP CREDIT in the SUMMARY OF CHARGES on your property tax bill.
Does this affect school funding? Yes. Because schools rely heavily on property taxes, this law can limit how much their revenue grows from existing taxes.
Can schools still raise money? Yes. School districts can still ask voters to approve new or additional levies if they need more funding.
Who qualifies for relief? Homeowners (and other property owners) may benefit if their school district is at a certain tax level and their taxes rise faster than inflation.
Does everyone get a tax break? No. Some people may see little or no change, especially if their taxes didn’t increase faster than inflation.
Does this help renters? Not directly. The credit applies to property owners, though renters could benefit indirectly if landlords pass along savings.
How much will I save?
It depends on:
When does the credit apply? It applies after property values are updated (like during reappraisals) and only if tax increases exceed inflation. The credit appearing on the 2026 Lorain County second half tax bills is the adjustment for the tax increases that resulted from the 2024 Lorain County reappraisal.
Why is my credit different from my neighbor's? The Inflation Cap Credit is calculated using parcel-specific information required by Ohio law. Factors such as taxing districts and other statutory calculations determine the amount of the credit. Because every property is different, the credit amount may vary from parcel to parcel.
Does this cap all of my property taxes? No. It mainly applies to certain school-related property taxes, not every part of your tax bill.
I paid my full year taxes already. What happens to my credit? If you paid your second-half tax bill before the Inflation Cap Credit was applied, you do not need to take any action. Any overpayment resulting from the Inflation Cap Credit will automatically be carried forward and applied as a credit toward your 2026 first-half tax bill that you will receive in January 2027.
What’s the bottom line? The intent of HB 186 was to help slow down property tax increases when home values rise quickly—but it doesn’t guarantee lower taxes, and its impact varies depending on where you live.