Ohio school districts to offset £28.5m tax overcollection through rate cuts

A clerical error in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, led nine school districts to collect an estimated $28.5 million more in property taxes than they should have. The mistake matters because affected residents will not receive immediate refunds: the county and districts plan to offset the excess by lowering some levy rates over time.

The error followed property reappraisals in 2024, when estimated rates for fixed-sum levies were not updated before 2025 tax bills were issued. Parma had the largest overcollection, at about $12.7 million; the other eight districts collected a combined roughly $15.8 million. Most districts are working towards a two-year adjustment, while Parma’s treasurer has proposed three years, prompting criticism from residents. Officials say other Ohio counties made similar errors.