When property owners hit caps varies widely

A homeowner in Franklin can expect to reach the cap for property taxes with a bill as low as $1,000.

But about 20 minutes north in the Center Grove area, homeowners have tax bills as high as $8,200 before reaching their tax caps. Chalk the difference up to widely varying tax rates.

Depending on where you live in Johnson County, your tax rate is between $1.21 and $3.84 per $100 of assessed value this year. That amount is based on what government services you receive and what local governments your tax dollars go to. That rate, along with the value of your home, is used to determine your tax bill.

If you live in a city or town, such as Edinburgh or Greenwood, your tax rate likely will be higher than someone who lives in the unincorporated parts of the county, such as the Center Grove area, because you are paying additional taxes for services from a city or town, said Larry DeBoer, a Purdue University professor and local government expert.

Because that rate is higher, that homeowner will reach his or her tax cap faster, DeBoer said.

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