General Finance FAQs
Are the City’s annual budgets and financial reports available to the public?
Yes. In order to provide easy access to the City’s financial reports, they are available in the reference sections at both branches of the Shaker Heights Public Library. The City’s financial reports are also available for review in the Finance Department during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tax Information
How are property taxes collected?
Contact: Cuyahoga County Auditor’s Office /Phone: 216-443-HOME. Property located in the City of Shaker Heights is taxed by the Shaker Heights School District, the Shaker Heights Public Library, Cuyahoga County and the City. Each of these separate entities sets its own tax rate. The tax rate that appears on the tax bill is the combined tax rate of all four. The 2002 effective tax rate for a Shaker Heights home is 91.17 mills (a mill equals $1 per thousand of taxable valuation). This is roughly equivalent to approximately 2.79% of the property’s market value. Property taxes paid by a Shaker Heights homeowner are distributed as follows: · 10.86% - City of Shaker Heights · 71.66% - Shaker Heights School District · 3.60% - Shaker Heights Public Library · 13.88% - Cuyahoga County The City does not directly collect property taxes. In the State of Ohio, the County Auditor and County Treasurer are responsible for determining property value, maintaining all property records, billing and collecting property taxes for all governments that tax a parcel of property. Property taxes are billed by the County semi-annually and are normally due in January and July. Property taxes are billed in the year following the tax year upon which the bill is based. Property is taxed based upon 35% of the fair market value of the property as determined by the County Auditor. For more information or to inquire about a specific property, contact the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s helpline, 216-443-HOME (216-443-4663).
What is the Shaker Heights City Income Tax?
Contact: Regional Income Tax Agency /Phone: 440-526-0900 /Toll Free Ohio 800-860-RITA /http://www.rita.to.
The City levies an income tax on the earned income of all residents, the net profits of all businesses located in the City and the wages of all individuals who work in the City. This tax is in addition to any income tax that a resident may be paying to the community in which he or she is working. Residents under the age of 18 are exempt from filing. The City’s tax rate is 1.75%. A resident who works in a community that levies an income tax is allowed a credit of one-half of the first one percent paid to the workplace community. Residents who anticipate an annual income tax liability, after any withholding, of $50 are required to make quarterly estimated payments. Estimated tax payments are due by April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31 following the end of the tax year. The tax return filing deadline is April 30th. If you qualify, the Regional Income Tax Agency will compute your tax liability for you. The deadline for this service is March 31st. The Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) is responsible for the collection of income tax on behalf of the City. New residents should contact RITA upon moving into the City to register for tax forms and estimated billing. Tax forms are also available at City Hall, from RITA’s website, and at the Shaker Heights Public Library during tax filing season. If you have any questions, RITA’s taxpayer assistance number is 440-526-4455.
What taxes are residents of Shaker Heights required to pay?
In addition to Federal and Ohio State income taxes, a Shaker Heights resident is required to pay city income and city property taxes.
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