Updated 2025 Tax Year

Van Buren County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Van Buren 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

1.5% base county rate, total effective rates range 1.5-2.5% depending on school districts and special taxing authorities

1st Due

Feb 15

2nd Due

Oct 15

Exemptions

5+ Available

Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Van Buren County, Arkansas operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including county government operations, schools, and various special districts. Property taxes are assessed annually based on the market value of real estate and personal property, with the county's base tax rate set at 1.500% for the 2025 levy year. However, your actual effective tax rate will likely be higher due to additional assessments from school districts, municipal bonds, fire districts, and other special taxing authorities within your specific area.

The total property tax rate in Van Buren County typically ranges from approximately 1.5% to 2.5% of assessed value, depending on your location within the county and which special taxing districts serve your property. Arkansas assesses property at 20% of market value for residential properties, meaning your taxable assessed value is significantly lower than your home's market value. It's important to understand that tax rates can vary considerably even between neighboring properties due to different combinations of school districts, fire districts, library districts, and other local taxing entities that may apply to your specific address.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Component	Rate	Description
Van Buren County Base	1.500%	County general operations, roads, courthouse, sheriff
School District	Varies	Local school district millage (varies by district within county)
Municipal Bonds	Varies	City/town bond payments if applicable
Fire District	Varies	Rural fire protection services
Library District	Varies	Public library services where applicable
Special Assessments	Varies	Drainage districts, improvement districts

Levy Year: These rates apply to the FY 2025 tax assessment. The total combined rate for your specific property depends on which taxing districts serve your address. School district rates can range from 25-45 mills, while fire districts typically add 2-5 mills. Contact the Van Buren County Assessor's Office at (501) 745-4140 to determine the exact rate calculation for your specific property address, as rates vary significantly across different areas of the county.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment

Feb 15

Delinquent after Dec 10

Second Installment

Oct 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 Van Buren County are additional property tax bills issued when there are mid-year changes to property ownership, value, or use that weren't captured in the regular annual assessment. The most common triggers include new construction completion, major renovations that increase property value, changes in property use (such as converting agricultural land to residential), or corrections to previous assessments discovered during the year.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, it covers the period from when the change occurred through the end of the current tax year. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in March, and your total tax rate is 2.0%, you would owe approximately $1,000 in supplemental taxes ($50,000 × 20% assessment ratio × 2.0% rate) prorated for the remaining 9 months of the tax year, resulting in a supplemental bill of about $750. These supplemental bills are typically mailed 4-6 weeks after the county assessor processes the change and are due within 30 days of issuance.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

Market Value: $300,000
Assessed Value (20%): $60,000
Less: Homestead Credit: -$350 (if applied for)
Net Taxable Value: $59,650
Annual Tax (2.0% rate): $1,193
Monthly Escrow: $99

Example 2: $600,000 Home

Market Value: $600,000
Assessed Value (20%): $120,000
Less: Homestead Credit: -$350 (if applied for)
Net Taxable Value: $119,650
Annual Tax (2.0% rate): $2,393
Monthly Escrow: $199

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

Market Value: $1,000,000
Assessed Value (20%): $200,000
Less: Homestead Credit: -$350 (if applied for)
Net Taxable Value: $199,650
Annual Tax (2.0% rate): $3,993
Monthly Escrow: $333

Note: Homestead credit amounts are estimates and require annual application through the County Assessor's Office. Actual tax rates vary by location within Van Buren County based on applicable special districts. Veterans and senior citizens may qualify for additional tax credits with proper application.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Van Buren County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property taxes, especially when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. Your lender will collect approximately 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, then pay your taxes directly to the county when they become due in October. Lenders typically maintain a cushion of 1-2 months in your escrow account to ensure adequate funds are available.

Each year, your lender will conduct an escrow analysis to compare actual tax payments with collected escrow funds. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly, and you may receive a shortage notice requiring additional payment. Conversely, if taxes decrease, you may receive a refund. It's important to review your annual escrow statement carefully and verify that your lender has paid the correct amount by checking with the Van Buren County Collector's Office. Property owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring their taxes are paid on time, even when using escrow services.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Van Buren County property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes for 2025 are due by October 15, 2025. This is a firm deadline, and payments received after this date will incur penalty charges.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Van Buren County offers homestead tax credits for primary residences, veteran disability credits, and senior citizen credits. ALL credits require annual application through the County Assessor's Office - none are automatic. Applications must be filed by December 31st to apply to the following year's taxes.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit provides a modest reduction to your taxable assessed value (typically $350) and more importantly, caps annual assessment increases to help prevent large tax jumps. You must apply annually at the Assessor's Office and the property must be your primary residence as of January 1st.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Arkansas law requires property to be reassessed every three years, though the county may conduct annual updates for new construction or major improvements. You'll receive a notice if your assessment changes significantly.

Q: What if I disagree with my property assessment? A: You can appeal your assessment to the Van Buren County Board of Equalization. Appeals must be filed by the second Monday in August. Contact the Assessor's Office for appeal forms and procedures.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Properties with unpaid taxes after October 15th are subject to penalty and interest charges. After two years of non-payment, properties may be subject to tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Van Buren County offers online payment options through the County Collector's website. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments may include processing fees.

Q: Why do properties in the same neighborhood have different tax rates? A: Tax rates vary based on special taxing districts such as school districts, fire districts, and municipal boundaries. Two neighboring properties may be served by different combinations of these districts, resulting in different total tax rates.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

JANUARY - MARCH 2025dfa.arkansas.gov

2025/04/24 Palisades Restart LA Docs - Critical Dune Permitnrc.gov

County

Departments - Van Buren Countyvanburencountymi.gov

Tax Doc

Property Tax Centerportal.arkansas.gov

PDF TIFF Wrapperapps.irs.gov

County

Transparency - Van Buren County Arkansasvanburencountyar.gov

State

State of Arkansas Tax Reform and Relief Legislative Task ...arkleg.state.ar.us

Tax Doc

Property Tax Relief – Arkansas Department of Finance and ...dfa.arkansas.gov

City of Van Buren, Arkansascityofvanburenar.gov

All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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Van Buren CountyProperty Tax Guide