Learn more about property revaluation in Mecklenburg County with this FAQ. If your question isn’t answered here, contact the Assessor’s Office at 980-314-4226 or AssessorQuestions@MeckNC.gov.
Property Information and Values
Informal Review and Formal Appeals Process
Taxes
Property Tax Exemptions
The Revaluation Process
Q: What is revaluation?
A: Revaluation is a process where all property (land and buildings) within a taxing jurisdiction (in this case Mecklenburg County) is revalued to its current market value as of an established date. North Carolina law requires all counties to conduct a property revaluation
at least every eight years to determine market value.
Q: How are properties assessed?
A: All property (homes, commercial and land) is visited and observed by a Mecklenburg County Assessor to:
- Verify the accuracy of characteristics on record for the property,
- Compare similar property sales and
- Consider improvements or changes that have been made to the property.
Q: Why is Mecklenburg County revaluing properties?
A: North Carolina General Statute 105-286 requires all counties to conduct a revaluation at least once every eight years. Mecklenburg County's last revaluation was performed in 2019. The goal of revaluation is to distribute the overall tax burden throughout the County in a way that is fair and equitable, and based on current property values.
Q: What is the benefit of revaluation?
A: Property taxes are based on property values. Without periodic revaluations, some property owners would pay more than their share of property tax while others would pay less. Revaluations reset property tax values to their current market value so that the property tax burden is spread fairly among all taxpayers.
Q: What is Market Value?
A: According to North Carolina General Statute 105-283, Market Value is defined as "the price estimated in terms of money at which the property would change hands between a willing and financially able buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell." The Mecklenburg County Assessor's Office analyzes the local real estate market and uses that information to develop our estimates of market value.
Q: How does revaluation affect my taxes?
A: Revaluation and taxation are separate. Revaluation determines the market value. The
Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and local jurisdictions (cities and towns) determine tax rates during the annual budget process in late spring. The value of your property combined with the tax rate determines your property tax bill, which is mailed in late July.
Q: Who assesses my property? How are they trained?
A: Assessor's Office staff are certified to perform property revaluations by the N.C. Department of Revenue. They are well-trained with decades of experience. Appraisers must meet certification requirements. The
Assessor's Office also has an internal quality control division that monitors all aspects of the process.
Q: Does revaluation cause gentrification?
A: The revaluation values are modeled after the market transactions that have already occurred, i.e. sales that have taken place. The Assessor’s Office follows the market, it does not set the market.
Q: Is Mecklenburg County inflating property values to raise money?
A: Revaluation is required by North Carolina law and is supported by 75,000 sales across the County. The County and City will publish a revenue neutral tax rate for review during the budget cycle this spring.
Q: Does Mecklenburg County conduct revaluation only at the peak of the market?
A: No. The County has moved to a four-year revaluation cycle and will revalue in 2023. Market value is established at that time.
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Property Information and Values
Q: When will I get my Notice of 2023 Real Estate Assessed Value?
A: It will be mailed to Mecklenburg County property owners in early 2023. Values will also be available online.
Q: How can I find my property information?
A: Look up your real estate property value here. Enter your parcel number, your full name or the address printed on your Notice of Real Estate Assessed Value. View sample notice. When the result appears, select your property to review the information we have on file. If you notice any of this information is incorrect, please email AssessorQuestions@MeckNC.gov or call us at 980-314-4226.
Q: What do I do if I feel like my property value is too high or too low?
A: If you feel that your property value is too high or too low, now is the time to communicate with the Mecklenburg County Assessor’s Office. Contact the office by mail at AssessorQuestions@MeckNC.gov, call 980-314-4226, or by mail on in-person at Valerie C. Woodard Center, 3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 3500, Charlotte, NC, 28208. The sooner you contact the Assessor’s Office, the better.
Q: What does the "Deferred Amount" refer to on the Notice of 2023 Real Estate Assessed Value?
A: The total listed under "Deferred Amount" applies to property that is agricultural, horticultural and forestry related.
Q: What if my house was still under construction on January 1, 2023?
A: Your property value will be adjusted based on what was completed as of January 1, 2023. This method also applies to new additions to existing buildings, outbuildings and detached structures. All improvements started after January 1, 2023 will be valued using the same Uniform Schedule of Values applied to property built prior to that date.
Q: Can property values change before the next revaluation?
A: Yes, the assessed value could change if new construction or a change in zoning occurs. When that happens, market value is adjusted using the rates developed for the most recent year. For example, if a house is built in 2024 on a lot that was vacant in 2023, the new house and lot will be appraised using 2023 market values, as approved in the Uniform Schedule of Values.
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Informal Review and Formal Appeals Processes
Q: How do I know if I should file an appeal?
A: Once you receive your Notice of 2023 Real Estate Assessed Value (view sample notice), you have a couple of options if your disagree with your value:
1. Informal Review: An Informal Review allows you and an assessor to review the property record and supporting information together. If an error is found, it can be corrected without having to go to a Formal Appeal. Informal reviews are encouraged.
2. Formal Appeal: If you believe your 2023 Notice of Real Estate Assessed Value is not a reasonable estimate of what your property could sell for on January 1, 2023, you have the right to file a Formal Appeal. If you're considering requesting an Informal Review or filing a Formal Appeal, visit our property information portal to verify the information we have on file for your property and to review sales information for similar properties.
Q: How do I request an Informal Review?
A: Request an Informal Review online, in-person or by calling 980-314-4226.
Q: How do I file a Formal Appeal?
A: After you receive your Notice of 2023 Real Estate Assessed Value, you can file a Formal Appeal online or with a paper form.
Q: What happens after I submit my appeal?
A: Your appeal will be sent to the Board of Equalization and Review (BER). You can file a Formal Appeal until board adjournment. This typically occurs in May and will be advertised as required by statute. After your appeal is heard by the BER, you will receive written notification of your property value in the mail. If you disagree with the BER's decision, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the N.C. Property Tax Commission in Raleigh. Instructions on how to appeal to the N.C. Property Tax Commission will be provided in the letter you receive from the BER.
Q: How long does an Informal Reviews take?
A: Informal reviews could take anywhere from 30-120 days and largely depend on how many appeals are filed in a given neighborhood. If there are multiple appeals in a particular neighborhood, then the process may take longer. The County Assessor will respond to appeals as quickly as possible.
Q: Do I need to attend my appeal hearing?
A: You can appear in person before the Board of Equalization and Review (BER), but it is not required. If you are unable to attend on the date and time set, your case will still be heard. The BER will review all submitted documentation regarding your case and mail you a decision.
Q: Do I need a hire a lawyer to appeal my Real Estate Assessed Value?
A: You are not required to have a lawyer when filing an Informal Review or Formal Appeal. You can file both for free. Details are available on the appeals page.
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Taxes
Q: Will my tax bill change?
A: Not necessarily. Property tax bills are calculated by multiplying the Market Value by the tax rate. The
Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and local jurisdictions (city and towns) determine tax rates during their annual budget processes in late spring. Your tax bill may go up, it may go down or it may stay the same.
Q: When will I get my property tax bill and when are my property taxes due?
A: Property tax bills are mailed to property owners in July of each year. Property taxes are due September 1 of each year and are payable without interest though January 5 (or the date indicated on your tax bill). An interest charge of 2% is assessed as a penalty on delinquent property tax bills received after January 5. Here is more information about tax payments.
Q: When is the tax rate set?
A: The
Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners and local jurisdictions (city and towns) determine tax rates during the annual budget process in late spring. This process begins each year in May. Public input is encouraged before the budget is adopted, typically in late June. The tax rate that will apply to your new property value will be set late spring and will go into effect July 1.
Q: : I received a letter claiming my property taxes are going up and that I could save money by hiring a law firm to assist with my appeal.
A: There is no cost to file an appeal. It is misleading for a business to claim there is a cost to appeal. Any fee charged by a third party goes to that business. Tax rates for the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and the Towns are not determined until May or June each year. Whether an individual property owner’s property taxes are going up, down, or remaining the same is not known until tax rates are set by their respective jurisdictions.
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Property Tax Exemptions
Q: How do I know if I qualify for property tax exemptions?
A: Exemptions have a range of eligibility requirements. To find out if you qualify visit the
exemptions page. If you have any questions regarding exemptions, please call us at 980-314-4226.
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