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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Monroe County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Base county rate 24.5 mills + school district 42.74 mills (varies by taxing districts)
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Monroe County, Mississippi operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, law enforcement, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency services. Property taxes are administered by the County Tax Assessor and collected by the County Tax Collector, serving as a primary revenue source for county operations and local school districts.

The effective tax rate in Monroe County varies significantly by location due to different combinations of taxing districts. For fiscal year 2025-2026, the base county rate is 24.5 mills, with school district rates adding approximately 42.74 mills in many areas. Your actual tax rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your property, including school districts, ambulance districts, and other local service areas. Property is assessed at its fair market value, and most tax credits and exemptions require separate applications and are not automatically applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
Base County Rate24.5General county operations, services
School District Rate~42.74Local school funding (varies by district)
Ambulance DistrictVariesEmergency medical services
Other Special DistrictsVariesAdditional local services as applicable
Estimated Total67.24+Actual rate depends on your specific location

Rates shown are for fiscal year 2025-2026 and represent typical combinations. Your actual tax rate may differ based on the specific taxing districts that serve your property location within Monroe County. One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Monroe 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 Monroe County are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use that occur after the regular assessment period. Common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements, ownership transfers that remove exemptions, or corrections to the original assessment.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, the additional tax is calculated by applying the current year's tax rate to the change in assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in January and the total tax rate is 67.24 mills, you would owe approximately $3,362 in supplemental taxes ($50,000 × 0.06724) for the remainder of that tax year. Supplemental tax bills are typically mailed within 30-60 days of the triggering event and have separate due dates from regular property tax bills.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home (with Homestead Credit)

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Caps assessment increases
  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: 67.24 mills (0.06724)
  • Annual Tax: $2,017
  • Monthly (Escrow): $168

Example 2: $600,000 Home (with Homestead Credit)

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Caps assessment increases
  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Tax Rate: 67.24 mills (0.06724)
  • Annual Tax: $4,034
  • Monthly (Escrow): $336

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home (no credits)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Credits Applied: None
  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Tax Rate: 67.24 mills (0.06724)
  • Annual Tax: $6,724
  • Monthly (Escrow): $560

Note: Homestead credit requires annual application and limits assessment growth rather than reducing market value. Actual rates vary by specific taxing districts in your area.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Monroe County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment, depositing these funds into an escrow account. The lender then pays your annual property tax bill directly to Monroe County when taxes become due.

Property taxes are due November 1st each year with a grace period extending to April 1st of the following year. Your lender typically pays in December or January to avoid any late penalties. You'll receive an annual escrow analysis statement showing the account activity and any adjustments needed for the coming year. It's important to verify your lender has your correct tax bill amount, especially after reassessments or if you've applied for new tax credits. You can confirm your tax amount by contacting the Monroe County Tax Collector's office or checking online payment systems when available.

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 Monroe County for fiscal year 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due November 1, 2025, with a grace period until April 1, 2026. Note that emergency proclamations may occasionally extend these deadlines, as occurred in 2026 when the deadline was extended to March 3rd.

Q: What homestead tax credit is available and how do I apply? A: The homestead credit caps annual assessment increases on your primary residence. You must apply with the Monroe County Tax Assessor's office, and you cannot claim residency in another state for income tax purposes. Military personnel stationed outside Mississippi may qualify if they maintain Mississippi residency.

Q: Are tax credits automatically applied to my bill? A: No, most tax credits require a separate application with the Tax Assessor's office. Applications must be submitted by specific deadlines, and you must reapply periodically to maintain eligibility.

Q: How often is property reassessed in Monroe County? A: Mississippi law requires periodic reassessments, but the specific schedule varies by county. Contact the Monroe County Tax Assessor for current assessment cycles and appeal procedures if you disagree with your assessed value.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payment? A: Late payments after the April 1st grace period incur penalties and interest charges. Contact the Monroe County Tax Collector for specific penalty rates and payment options.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Monroe County Tax Collector's office directly to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods for your tax bill.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase when my assessment stayed the same? A: Tax increases can result from higher mill levy rates approved by local taxing districts, even when your assessed value remains unchanged. Different districts may have voted for rate increases to fund services.

Q: How do special district taxes work in Monroe County? A: Your total tax rate includes levies from multiple entities serving your location: county government, school district, ambulance district, and potentially others. Properties in different areas of the county may have different combinations of these districts, resulting in varying total tax rates.

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