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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Washington County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Washington 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
1.250% effective rate (varies significantly by district - school districts, fire districts, municipal boundaries affect total rate)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Washington County, Arkansas operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes are calculated based on assessed value, which is set at 20% of fair market value for residential properties. The effective tax rate for 2025 is approximately 1.250% of assessed value, though this represents a reduction of $1.37 per $1,000 in assessed value in recent years as the county has worked to lower the overall tax burden on residents.

Actual tax rates vary significantly by location within Washington County due to special taxing districts, including school districts, municipal boundaries, fire districts, and other local improvement districts. Property owners should verify their specific tax rate and applicable districts through the Washington County Assessor's office, as rates can differ substantially between neighboring properties depending on which services and districts apply to each location.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
Base County RateVariableGeneral county operations, varies by district
School DistrictsVariableLocal school district funding, varies by district
Municipal LevyVariableCity services (if within city limits)
Fire DistrictsVariableFire protection services, if applicable
Special DistrictsVariableImprovement districts, library districts, etc.
Total Effective Rate~1.250%FY 2025 average on assessed value

Note: These rates apply to the FY 2025 levy year effective January 1, 2025. Actual rates vary significantly based on your property's location and applicable special taxing districts. Contact the Washington County Assessor for your specific district combination and exact rate.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Washington 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 taxes in Washington County are triggered by changes in property ownership, new construction, or significant improvements that increase a property's assessed value during the tax year. When such changes occur after the annual assessment but before the tax year ends, a supplemental tax bill is issued to account for the difference between the old and new assessed values.

For example, if you purchase a home in Washington County that was previously assessed at $40,000 (20% of $200,000 market value) but now has a market value of $300,000, the new assessed value would be $60,000. A supplemental tax would be calculated on the $20,000 increase in assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. At the 1.250% rate, this would result in an additional $250 annually, or roughly $21 per month for each remaining month in the tax year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (20%): $60,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$600 tax credit
  • Taxable Assessed Value: $60,000
  • Annual Tax (1.250%): $750
  • Less: Applied Tax Credits: -$600
  • Net Annual Tax: $150
  • Monthly Escrow: $12.50

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (20%): $120,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$600 tax credit
  • Taxable Assessed Value: $120,000
  • Annual Tax (1.250%): $1,500
  • Less: Applied Tax Credits: -$600
  • Net Annual Tax: $900
  • Monthly Escrow: $75

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (20%): $200,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if eligible): -$600 tax credit
  • Taxable Assessed Value: $200,000
  • Annual Tax (1.250%): $2,500
  • Less: Applied Tax Credits: -$600
  • Net Annual Tax: $1,900
  • Monthly Escrow: $158

Note: Homestead credit requires application and is not automatic. Actual rates vary by taxing district location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Washington County require property tax escrow accounts, collecting monthly payments alongside your mortgage payment to cover annual property tax bills. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of your estimated annual tax bill each month, plus an additional cushion of 2-3 months as required by federal regulations. Your lender pays the county directly when taxes are due on October 15th each year.

Escrow accounts are analyzed annually, and your monthly payment may be adjusted based on actual tax bills and account balance. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. Property owners should verify that their lender has paid taxes on time, as late payment penalties of 10% apply after the October 15th deadline, regardless of escrow arrangements. You can verify payment status through the Washington County Collector's office online portal or by phone.

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 property taxes due in Washington County? A: Property taxes are due by October 15th each year for the current tax year. A 10% late penalty is added to unpaid taxes after this date.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: The primary credit is the Homestead Tax Credit, providing up to $600 in tax credit for your primary residence. This requires a separate application to the County Assessor's office and is not automatic - you must apply even if you've received it before.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit provides up to $600 in tax credit (reducing your actual tax bill) and also limits increases in your taxable assessed value due to reassessment. It does not reduce your property's market value but caps how much your taxes can increase year-over-year due to value appreciation.

Q: When are properties assessed? A: Property assessments occur between January 1st and May 31st each year, with taxes due October 15th of the following year. The assessment determines your property's fair market value as of January 1st.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: You can appeal your assessment through the Washington County Board of Equalization. Contact the County Assessor's office for specific deadlines and procedures, which typically must be filed within a limited time after receiving your assessment notice.

Q: What happens if I pay late? A: A 10% penalty is automatically added to any taxes not paid by October 15th. Additional interest and fees may accrue on delinquent accounts, and properties can eventually be subject to tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Contact the Washington County Collector's office for current online payment options and accepted methods. Many Arkansas counties offer online payment systems for property taxes.

Q: Why do property tax rates vary within Washington County? A: Your total tax rate depends on all the taxing districts where your property is located, including school districts, fire districts, municipal boundaries, and special improvement districts. Properties in different areas may have significantly different total rates based on these district combinations.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
January 2025 Vol. 15washcowisco.gov
02
JANUARY - MARCH 2025dfa.arkansas.gov
03
County
Washington County Proposed Budget FY 2025-26 Questions ...washingtoncountyor.gov
04
County
Collector | Washington County, ARwashingtoncountyar.gov
05
County
County Tax Guide | Washington County, ARwashingtoncountyar.gov
06
County
Washington County Public Access > Homewashcotax.co.washington.or.us
07
County
Assessor FAQs | Washington County, ARwashingtoncountyar.gov
08
County
Assessor | Washington County, ARwashingtoncountyar.gov
09
Tax Doc
Property Tax Relief – Arkansas Department of Finance and ...dfa.arkansas.gov
10
Frequently Asked Questions - CivicPlus.CMS.FAQfayetteville-ar.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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