Homeowners are paying their higher tax bills, but sometimes with help or heartbreak

Higher property taxes as a result of skyrocketing home values has led to protests from property owners, a deluge of "heartbreaking" pleas to elected officials, and a proposed constitutional amendment to cap tax increases.

What it hasn't led to ‒ at least so far ‒ is a rise in people unable to pay their taxes. Statistics from county treasurers in Greater Cincinnati show no increase in people failing to pay their taxes, an Enquirer check found.

Property owners in Clermont, Butler and Hamilton counties paid 95% to 97% of the taxes owed in the first round of bills that came out in January, statistics obtained by The Enquirer from the county treasurers showed. These are the three counties where properties were due for reappraisals for this tax cycle. The 2% to 5% of property taxes past due tracks with the rate from previous years, staff from the offices of local treasurers and auditors told The Enquirer.