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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Desha County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Desha County, AR. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Approximately 1.50% effective rate (varies by special taxing districts)
1st Due
Oct 15
2nd Due
Apr 15
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Desha County, Arkansas operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county government operations, road maintenance, and various special districts. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these services, with the tax year running from January 1 to December 31. The county's effective tax rate is approximately 1.500% as of the 2025 levy year, though this represents a baseline rate that can vary significantly depending on your specific location within the county.

Your actual property tax rate will depend on the special taxing districts where your property is located, including school districts, fire districts, library districts, and other municipal services. These additional assessments are layered on top of the base county rate, meaning properties in different areas of Desha County may experience varying total tax rates. The county assessor determines property values based on market conditions, with assessments typically updated on a regular reappraisal cycle as mandated by Arkansas state law.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Base County Levy1.500%Core county services, administration, roads (FY 2025)
School DistrictVariesLocal school operations and bonds (district-specific)
Municipal ServicesVariesCity services if within incorporated areas
Fire DistrictVariesFire protection and emergency services
Library DistrictVariesPublic library funding where applicable
Special AssessmentsVariesDrainage districts, improvement districts

Note: The total effective rate typically ranges from 1.500% to over 2.000% depending on your property's location and applicable special districts. Rates shown are for the 2025 levy year and may change annually based on budget requirements and voter-approved measures. Contact the Desha County Assessor's office for your property's specific rate calculation.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Desha County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Oct 15
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Apr 15
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Desha County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, improvements, or corrections to assessments during the current tax year. The most common triggers include the purchase of property (change of ownership), completion of new construction, additions or major improvements to existing structures, and corrections to previous assessment errors.

When a supplemental tax is triggered, the county assessor calculates the difference between the old and new assessed values, applies the current tax rate to that difference, and prorates it based on the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you purchase a home in June that was previously under-assessed, you would receive a supplemental tax bill covering July through December (6 months) based on the corrected assessment value. These supplemental bills are typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from your regular property tax installments.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (100%): $300,000
  • Available Tax Credits Applied: $0 (assuming no applications filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.500%
  • Annual Tax: $4,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $375

Example 2: $600,000 Property

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (100%): $600,000
  • Available Tax Credits Applied: $0 (assuming no applications filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.500%
  • Annual Tax: $9,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $750

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (100%): $1,000,000
  • Available Tax Credits Applied: $0 (assuming no applications filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: 1.500%
  • Annual Tax: $15,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,250

Note: Tax credits require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Actual rates may be higher due to special district assessments in your area.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Desha County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers, particularly those with less than 20% down payment or specific loan types. Your lender collects monthly escrow payments along with your mortgage payment, typically calculated by dividing your annual property tax bill by 12 months, plus a cushion amount (usually 2 months of taxes) as required by federal regulations.

Property taxes in Desha County are paid in two installments: the first installment is due by September 15th, and the second installment is due by December 15th. Your escrow servicer will make these payments on your behalf from your escrow account. You should receive annual escrow statements showing account activity, and your monthly escrow amount may be adjusted based on actual tax bills and account balance requirements. It's important to review your mortgage statements and escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are being collected, especially after reassessments or when tax rates change.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Desha County for FY 2025? A: Property taxes are due in two installments: first installment by September 15th and second installment by December 15th for the current tax year.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Arkansas offers various tax credits including homestead credits for qualifying homeowners and veteran disability credits. These require separate applications filed with the county assessor's office and are not automatically applied. Contact the Desha County Assessor for specific application forms and deadlines.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit in Arkansas typically limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing market value. You must apply for this credit - it is not automatic - and it generally caps assessment growth to protect long-term homeowners from rapid value increases.

Q: When does the county reassess properties? A: Arkansas follows a state-mandated reappraisal cycle. Desha County conducts comprehensive reassessments periodically as scheduled by the state. Property owners receive notice of new assessments and have appeal rights during specified time periods.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur penalty and interest charges as specified by Arkansas law. After a certain period, unpaid taxes may result in tax lien procedures. Contact the county collector for specific penalty rates and collection procedures.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Check with the Desha County Collector's office for available online payment options, as many Arkansas counties now offer web-based payment systems for property taxes.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase when tax rates stayed the same? A: Tax bills can increase due to rising property values, new special district assessments, voter-approved bond measures, or loss of previously applied tax credits that require annual reapplication.

Q: How do special districts affect my tax rate? A: Special districts (fire, library, school bonds, improvement districts) add their own tax rates to the base county rate. Your total effective rate depends on which districts serve your property location, which can vary significantly within Desha County.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
JANUARY - MARCH 2025dfa.arkansas.gov
02
Assessment coordination Division of Arkansas Department of ...dfa.arkansas.gov
03
County
Miller County Budgetartransparency.gov
04
Tax Doc
IRS announces tax relief for Arkansas victims of severe ...irs.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Centerportal.arkansas.gov
06
State
State of Arkansas Tax Reform and Relief Legislative Task ...arkleg.state.ar.us
07
Arkansasirs.gov
08
aacd-annual-report-2023.pdfdfa.arkansas.gov
09
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ...liheapch.acf.gov
10
november-2019-990-index.csvirs.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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