Cuyahoga County Auditor

About the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer

The Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer (formerly known as the County Auditor) serves as the chief financial officer for the county. This elected position is critical to the financial health of local government, overseeing property valuations, tax administration, and the distribution of more than $2.4 billion in tax revenues annually to schools, municipalities, libraries, and special districts.

Unlike the County Treasurer who collects the taxes, the Fiscal Officer determines the value of all real property upon which taxes are calculated. The office maintains accurate records for over 511,000 parcels across Cuyahoga County County, ensuring that property assessments are fair, equitable, and uniform.

The Fiscal Officer's responsibilities include operating the county's property search portal (myPlace), managing auto title transfers, administering lodging taxes, and overseeing the county's financial accounting and budget management functions.

Cuyahoga County Property Search

The myPlace property search portal is one of the most-used services provided by the Fiscal Officer. This comprehensive online database allows homeowners, real estate professionals, title companies, and the general public to access detailed property information including ownership history, assessed values, tax payment status, and parcel characteristics.

How to Search for Property Records

Follow these simple steps to access Cuyahoga County County property records:

1. Visit the myPlace Portal: Open your browser and navigate to myplace.cuyahogacounty.gov.
2. Select Your Search Method: Choose from Address, Owner Name, or Parcel Number search options.
3. Enter Your Details: Input the relevant information (e.g., street address, last name, or 8-digit parcel ID).
4. Review Results: Click on the matching property to view the full General Information tab with ownership, valuation, and tax data.

What Information Is Available?

• Owner Name & Mailing Address: Current and historical ownership records.
• Market Value & Assessed Value: The appraised value and the 35% taxable assessment.
• Property Tax History: Payment status, delinquencies, and special assessments.
• Physical Characteristics: Lot size, building square footage, year built, and improvements.
• Sales History: Transfer dates, sale prices, and deed information.
• Tax District & Rates: Which taxing authorities levy on the property.

Appraisal Department

The Cuyahoga County Appraisal Department is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all real property in the county. Ohio law requires a full reappraisal every six years and a statistical update every three years to ensure property values reflect current market conditions.

The department also processes annual building permits received from all 59 municipalities to capture new construction and improvements. This ensures that property taxes are calculated on accurate, up-to-date values.

If you believe your property's assessed value is incorrect, you may file a complaint with the Board of Revision (BOR). The filing period is typically January 1 through March 31 each year. Evidence such as a recent independent appraisal, comparable sales data, or documentation of property damage can support your claim.

Budget Commission & Tax Distribution

The Cuyahoga County Budget Commission is a three-member board consisting of the County Fiscal Officer, County Treasurer, and County Prosecuting Attorney. This commission is responsible for:

• Auditing and certifying the annual tax budgets of all 105 taxing jurisdictions in the county.
• Setting the annual property tax rates for each jurisdiction based on voter-approved levies.
• Distributing over $2.4 billion in property tax revenue annually to 38 cities, 19 villages, 33 school districts, 9 library systems, and 4 county agencies.

The commission also issues Certificates of Estimated Resources to each taxing authority, which are used for budget planning and appropriation decisions.

Auto Title Division

The Cuyahoga County Auto Title Division handles all motor vehicle, watercraft, and outboard motor title transactions. Services include:

• New Vehicle Titles: Processing Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) for new cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and personal watercraft.
• Used Vehicle Transfers: Title transfers upon sale, requiring the previous owner's signed title, bill of sale, and odometer disclosure.
• Duplicate Titles: Replacement titles when originals are lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Lien Processing: Adding or removing liens from vehicle titles.

Title offices are located throughout Cuyahoga County County. Visit the Fiscal Officer website for current locations, hours, and fee schedules.

Lodging Occupancy Tax

The Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer administers the county's lodging tax (also known as the "bed tax" or transient occupancy tax). This tax is levied on guests staying at hotels, motels, and short-term rentals within the county.

The Lodging Tax Department is responsible for registering approximately 169 lodging facilities, collecting monthly tax remittances, and conducting compliance audits. For questions about lodging tax registration or filing requirements, contact the Housing Tax Office at (216) 698-2540.

Property Tax Relief Programs

The Fiscal Office administers several state-mandated programs designed to reduce the property tax burden for eligible homeowners:

• Homestead Exemption: Reduces property taxes for seniors (age 65+) and permanently disabled homeowners by exempting up to $25,000 of the home's market value from taxation. This can save eligible homeowners hundreds of dollars annually.
• Disabled Veterans Exemption: Provides a property tax exemption of up to $50,000 of market value for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating.
• Owner Occupancy Credit: A 2.5% reduction applied to the gross taxes of owner-occupied residential properties.

Applications for these programs are available at the Fiscal Officer's office or online. Proof of age, disability status, or veteran status is required.

General Accounting Department

The Department of General Accounting is responsible for certifying, accounting, and disbursing all county funds in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). Key functions include:

• Vendor Payments: Issuing approximately 240,000 vendor checks annually to individuals and businesses.
• Payroll Processing: Issuing approximately 255,000 paychecks and direct deposits per year to county employees on a biweekly basis.
• Tax Reporting: Preparing and distributing IRS Form 1099s to vendors and W-2s to all employees.
• Retirement Contributions: Managing employee and employer contributions to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
• Federal Compliance: Reconciling Federal Form 941 with the IRS and managing state and local withholding remittances.

Office of Budget & Management (OBM)

The Office of Budget & Management (OBM) analyzes and interprets financial issues affecting Cuyahoga County County. OBM reviews, prepares, and monitors capital and operational budgets, identifies new revenue sources, oversees performance measurement initiatives, and participates in various fiscal committees.

OBM is committed to ensuring that county budget information is presented accurately, relevantly, and in a timely manner. The office serves as the primary resource for effective county decision-making and public transparency.

Annual Property Tax Distribution

Over $2.4 billion in property tax revenue is collected and distributed annually to the following entities:

Audit Committee

The Cuyahoga County Audit Committee, established under Article XI of the County Charter, provides internal audit oversight to assist the County Executive, Treasurer, County Council, and other officials. The committee's primary objectives are:

• Ensuring effective and efficient services to county residents.
• Providing guidance and policy recommendations to the Internal Audit Department.
• Monitoring both internal and external audits for clarity and accountability.
• Meeting quarterly to review audit findings and compliance matters.

Microfilming & Document Imaging Center

The Cuyahoga County Microfilming Center (CCMC) assists county agencies and other government entities in digitizing and preserving documents. Established in December 2008, the center provides imaging services that reduce storage costs and increase operational efficiency.

By law, no county government agency may purchase, lease, or contract imaging equipment or services without CCMC approval. The center converts paper records into digital storage and microfilm, ensuring long-term preservation while eliminating the need for expensive physical storage.

About Cuyahoga County County

Cuyahoga County County is Ohio's most populous county, home to approximately 1.26 million residents. Cleveland serves as the county seat and largest city. The county name comes from the Iroquois word "Cuyahoga," meaning "crooked river," referring to the winding Cuyahoga River that flows through the region.

The land that became Cuyahoga County County was once part of the French colony of New France, ceded to Great Britain in 1763 and later becoming part of the Northwest Territory. The Connecticut Western Reserve was established in the 1790s, and General Moses Cleaveland founded Cleveland in 1796 near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River.

Today, Cuyahoga County County forms the heart of the Greater Cleveland metropolitan area and the Cleveland-Akron-Canton Combined Statistical Area. The Fiscal Officer's office manages property records for 59 municipalities spanning over 450 square miles.

Frequently Asked Questions