Finance

The 2026 Tax Budget Legal Notice is available for viewing here.  

Duties

The Finance Department is responsible for developing reports, issuing purchase orders, employee payroll and many other financial functions.

The department monitors the annual budget to ensure that expenditures will not exceed the budget, as authorized by City Council. As the budget is developed, the department is called upon by City Council to provide a breakdown of costs so City Council can decide how to allocate city resources.

RITA Taxes

Local taxes are processed by the Regional Income Tax Authority (RITA). Forms are available at the Finance Department; the income tax rate in Garfield Heights is 2% with a 100% credit (up to 2%).

The Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) mailed non-filer letters to taxpayers that neglected to file a municipal income tax return.   Taxpayers can simply send RITA the documents listed on the non-filing letter via:

e-file returns or exemptions at: https://www.ritaohio.com/Individuals/Home/File

Mail:

RITA

Attn: Compliance Department 198

Regional Income Tax Agency

PO BOX 470538

Broadview Heights, OH  44147-0538

Fax: 440-922-3510

More details about Non-Filing Notices can be found at https://www.ritaohio.com/Individuals/Home/NonFilingNotice

Special Tax Assessments

There is a $6.00 dollar processing fee for all special tax assessment requests. Please mail a check payable to the City of Garfield Heights along with your completed request to: The City of Garfield Heights, Attention: Finance Department, 5407 Turney Road, Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125. 

For questions or concerns, please contact the Finance Department via telephone at 216-475-1504. 

Chapter 183 - Municipal Income Tax

The City of Garfield Heights has enacted Chapter 183 - Municipal Income Tax in order to comply with the sweeping changes that the State Legislature enacted, commonly known as House Bill 5. Therefore, Chapter 183 of the city's Codified Ordinances becomes effective January 1, 2016 and Chapter 181 will stay in effect for all tax years prior to December 31, 2015.

For more information, please view Chapter 183 - Municipal Tax Code (PDF).

Assistance to Pay Delinquent Property Taxes

Assistance is available for people unable to pay their property taxes through the Restoring Stability: Save the Dream Ohio Initiative. It is necessary that homeowners have a valid hardship issue to qualify for the program, which is being administered by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. 

For information or registration, visit the State of Ohio website or call 888-404-4674.

Obtaining a Birth or Death Record

The Vital Statistics department closed in 2009 in Garfield Heights. Vital Statistics are now located at:
601 Lakeside Avenue E
Suite 122
Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Their phone number is 216-664-2317. They will be able to assist you in obtaining a copy of your certificate. For more information, please visit the Ohio Department of Health website.

Cuyahoga County - 2023 Reappraisal Presentation