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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Bolivar County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Bolivar County, MS. 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
Approximately 1% base rate of assessed value, varies significantly by municipality and special taxing districts
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Bolivar County, Mississippi operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, roads, law enforcement, and county government operations. Property taxes are collected by the Tax Assessor/Collector and distributed to various local entities based on established millage rates. The county follows Mississippi's statewide assessment structure with a base rate of approximately 1% of assessed value, though actual rates vary significantly depending on your location within the county.

Property tax rates in Bolivar County differ by municipality and special taxing districts, meaning two similar properties may have different tax obligations based on their specific location and the services provided in that area. The Tax Assessor's office is responsible for listing and valuing all taxable property, maintaining tax maps, and assisting residents with homestead exemption applications, while also serving as the collector for all ad valorem taxes on real property, personal property, vehicles, and various business-related taxes.

Your effective tax rate will depend on which special taxing districts serve your property, including school districts, municipal services, and any special assessment districts for infrastructure improvements or utility services within your specific area of Bolivar County.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
County General FundVariesBasic county services, administration, roads
School DistrictVaries by DistrictLocal school operations and maintenance
Municipal ServicesVaries by CityCity services (where applicable)
Special DistrictsVariesFire protection, drainage, utility districts
Bond PaymentsVariesSchool bonds, infrastructure bonds

Note: Rates shown are for the current tax year and are expressed in mills (1 mill = $1 per $1,000 of assessed value). Actual millage rates vary significantly by location within Bolivar County due to different combinations of school districts, municipalities, and special taxing districts. Contact the Bolivar County Tax Assessor's office for specific rates applicable to your property address. Total effective rates typically range from 95-140 mills depending on location and applicable districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Bolivar 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 Bolivar County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership or improvements made to existing properties during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction, completion of home additions or major renovations, change in property ownership, or correction of assessment errors discovered after the initial tax roll is prepared.

When supplemental taxes are assessed, they are calculated based on the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change occurred. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in October and your total millage rate is 120 mills, the supplemental tax would be calculated as: ($50,000 × 0.120) × (3 months remaining ÷ 12 months) = $1,500 supplemental tax bill for that fiscal year.

Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 30-60 days after the assessment change is processed and have separate due dates from your regular property tax bill. These taxes help ensure that property improvements and ownership changes contribute their fair share to local services for the period they benefit from those services.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value: $300,000 (100% assessment)
  • Less: Homestead Tax Credit: -$300 (if applicable, requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $299,700
  • Tax Rate: 110 mills (example rate)
  • Annual Property Tax: $32,967
  • Monthly Payment: $2,747

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Tax Credit: -$300 (if applicable, requires application)
  • Less: Senior Citizen Credit: -$200 (if qualified, requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $599,500
  • Tax Rate: 115 mills (example rate)
  • Annual Property Tax: $68,943
  • Monthly Payment: $5,745

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Homestead Tax Credit: -$300 (if applicable, requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $999,700
  • Tax Rate: 120 mills (example rate)
  • Annual Property Tax: $119,964
  • Monthly Payment: $9,997

Note: All tax credits shown require separate applications and approval. Rates shown are examples only - actual millage rates vary by specific location within Bolivar County. The homestead credit limits annual assessment increases rather than providing a direct reduction in assessed value.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Bolivar County require borrowers to establish an escrow account for property tax payments, especially for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender will collect monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment and hold these funds in an escrow account until taxes are due. The lender typically pays your property taxes directly to Bolivar County before the March deadline each year.

Lenders are required to conduct an annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are being collected. If property taxes increase due to reassessment or millage rate changes, your monthly escrow payment may increase. Conversely, if an escrow surplus develops, you may receive a refund or see reduced monthly payments. You should receive an annual escrow statement showing all deposits, payments, and account balances.

If you pay property taxes through escrow, you can verify that payments were received by checking with the Bolivar County Tax Collector's office or through their online payment system. While your lender handles the payment, you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid on time, and you should monitor that your lender makes payments before the due date to avoid penalties and potential tax sale proceedings.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Bolivar County for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are typically due by February 1st annually. However, Governor Tate Reeves signed a proclamation extending the deadline to March 3, 2026 for the current tax year due to emergency circumstances affecting 49 Mississippi counties including Bolivar County.

Q: What homestead tax credits are available and do they apply automatically? A: Bolivar County offers homestead tax credits that must be applied for annually - they are NOT automatic. The primary homestead credit limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing your property's assessed value. You must file an application with the Tax Assessor's office to qualify, and applications are typically due by April 1st each year.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Bolivar County? A: Mississippi law requires property reassessment cycles, but the frequency can vary by county. Contact the Bolivar County Tax Assessor's office for the current reassessment schedule. Property owners have the right to appeal assessments through the county's appeal process if they believe their assessment is incorrect.

Q: What penalties apply for late property tax payments? A: Late penalties and interest charges apply to overdue property taxes. The specific penalty structure and interest rates are set by state law and county policy. Properties with delinquent taxes may eventually be subject to tax sale proceedings, so prompt payment is essential.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Bolivar County Tax Collector's office to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods. Many Mississippi counties now offer online payment systems for convenience.

Q: Are senior citizens eligible for additional tax credits? A: Senior citizen tax credits may be available but require separate application and qualification based on age and income requirements. These are credits that reduce your tax bill, not exemptions that reduce assessed value. Contact the Tax Assessor's office for specific eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Q: How do special district taxes work in Bolivar County? A: Special district taxes vary by location within the county based on services provided in your area, such as fire protection districts, school districts, or utility districts. Your tax bill will show the breakdown of all applicable district taxes for your specific property location.

Q: What should I do if I disagree with my property assessment? A: Property owners have the right to appeal their assessment through Bolivar County's formal appeal process. Contact the Tax Assessor's office for appeal forms, deadlines, and procedures. Appeals typically must be filed within a specific timeframe after assessment notices are mailed.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
Alert Center • Property Tax Payment Extension - March 3desotocountyms.gov
02
0000950144-00-011768.txtsec.gov
03
CENTRALLY-ASSESSED PROPERTIESdor.ms.gov
04
HB1049 (As Introduced) - 2026 Regular Sessionbillstatus.ls.state.ms.us
05
County
Tax Assessor - Bolivar County Mississippico.bolivar.ms.us
06
County
Expo Rental - Bolivar County Mississippico.bolivar.ms.us
07
HB1957 (As Introduced) - 2025 Regular Sessionbillstatus.ls.state.ms.us
08
SB2210 (As Introduced) - 2026 Regular Sessionbillstatus.ls.state.ms.us
09
County
23c2023 Bolivar County-cpa.pdf - MS State Auditor's Officeosa.ms.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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