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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Polk County
Property Tax Guide

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

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
2.000% county-wide for 2025 (varies by taxing districts - school, fire, library districts add additional millage)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Polk County, Arkansas fund essential local services including public schools, county government operations, road maintenance, and emergency services. The county operates under Arkansas state property tax laws with a base assessment rate of approximately 20% of market value for residential properties. Property owners can expect effective tax rates that typically range from 1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value, though this varies significantly based on your specific location within the county.

Your actual tax rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your property, including school districts, fire districts, library districts, and other municipal service areas. Based on current data, the county-wide rate is 2.000% for the 2025 tax year (January-March 2025 period), but your total rate will include additional levies from local taxing authorities that serve your specific address. Property taxes are collected annually with bills typically due in October, and the county offers multiple payment options including online, in-person, and mail payments.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
County GeneralVariableCounty operations, roads, courthouse, sheriff
School DistrictVariableLocal school district operations and facilities
State General0.25 millsArkansas state-wide levy
Special DistrictsVariableFire, library, improvement districts as applicable
Base County Rate2.000%FY 2025 county-wide rate (Jan-Mar 2025)

Note: The 2.000% rate shown is the base county rate for levy year 2025. Your actual total tax rate will be higher once school district levies and applicable special district assessments are added. Rates vary significantly by location within Polk County depending on which taxing districts serve your property. Contact the Polk County Assessor's office for your specific address rate, as school districts and special service districts can add 1-3% or more to your total rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

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 property taxes in Polk County are additional tax bills issued when there are mid-year changes to property ownership or improvements that increase assessed value. The most common triggers include property sales (which may prompt reassessment at current market value), completion of new construction, additions to existing structures, or corrections to previous assessments discovered during county audits.

When a supplemental tax is issued, it represents the difference between the original annual tax and the recalculated tax based on the new assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you purchase a home in July that was previously under-assessed, you may receive a supplemental bill covering July through December for the additional tax amount. These supplemental bills are typically due 30 days from the issue date and are separate from your regular annual property tax bill.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (20%): $60,000
  • Available Tax Credits: $0 (assuming no applications filed)
  • Net Taxable Value: $60,000
  • Annual Tax (2.5% total rate): $1,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $125

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (20%): $120,000
  • Homestead Tax Credit: -$375 (requires application, caps assessment increases)
  • Net Taxable Value: $119,625
  • Annual Tax (2.3% total rate): $2,751
  • Monthly Escrow: $229

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (20%): $200,000
  • Homestead + Senior Credit: -$750 (both require applications)
  • Net Taxable Value: $199,250
  • Annual Tax (2.2% total rate): $4,384
  • Monthly Escrow: $365

Note: Tax credits shown require annual applications and are not automatically applied. Actual rates vary by special taxing districts. Contact the county assessor for available credits and application procedures.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Polk County require property tax escrow accounts, where you pay 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax with each monthly mortgage payment. Your lender collects these funds in a separate escrow account and pays your property tax bill directly to the county when due in October. Lenders typically conduct an annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are being collected, adjusting your monthly payment up or down based on actual tax amounts and account balance.

It's important to verify that your lender pays your taxes on time, as you remain ultimately responsible for payment even when using escrow. You can check payment status through the Polk County Collector's office or online payment portal. If your property tax increases due to reassessment or new special district levies, your lender will adjust your escrow payments accordingly, usually spreading any shortage over 12 months while immediately adjusting for the new tax amount.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Polk County property taxes due? A: Property taxes for the 2023 tax year were due October 15, 2023. The 2024 tax year due date has not yet been announced but typically follows the same October timeline.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Arkansas offers homestead tax credits that limit annual assessment increases, senior citizen credits, disabled veteran credits, and agricultural use credits. All credits require annual applications filed with the county assessor's office. Contact the Polk County Assessor for current application deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit doesn't reduce your home's market value but caps how much your assessed value can increase each year (typically 5-10%). You must file an application with the assessor's office and reapply annually to maintain this protection.

Q: When does the county reassess properties? A: Arkansas requires county-wide reappraisals every 3-5 years. Polk County follows this schedule with individual properties potentially reassessed when sold or significantly improved.

Q: How do I appeal my assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Polk County Board of Equalization within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice. Contact the assessor's office for appeal forms and procedures.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late property tax payments incur penalties and interest charges. Contact the Polk County Collector's office for current penalty rates and payment options for delinquent taxes.

Q: Can I pay my taxes online? A: Yes, Polk County offers online property tax payment options. You can pay online, in person at the county courthouse, or by mail.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase when my assessment stayed the same? A: Tax increases with stable assessments typically result from higher tax rates due to school district levies, new special district assessments, or county budget increases approved by local taxing authorities.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
JANUARY - MARCH 2025dfa.arkansas.gov
02
Account Details: 20172304polkflpa.gov
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax Distribution Breakdown by School Districtarkleg.state.ar.us
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax Centerportal.arkansas.gov
05
Arkansasirs.gov
06
Arkansas Assessment Coordination Divisiondfa.arkansas.gov
07
Polk - Arkansas Department of Human Serviceshumanservices.arkansas.gov
08
County
Polk County, Arkansasarklegaudit.gov
09
Final Order and Home Site Authorizationoregon.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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