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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Burke County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Burke County, NC. 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
Base rate varies by municipality and fire district - ranges from approximately $0.60-$0.80 per $100 assessed value
1st Due
Sep 1
2nd Due
Jan 6
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Burke County's property tax system is the primary funding mechanism for essential local services including public schools, law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, and county government operations. Property owners pay taxes based on their property's assessed value multiplied by the applicable tax rate, which varies depending on location within the county due to special taxing districts such as municipalities and fire districts.

The county reassesses all real property periodically to ensure fair market valuations, and property taxes are collected annually with specific due dates and payment schedules. Burke County's tax rates are competitive within the region, though actual tax bills vary significantly based on property location, as municipalities and special districts may impose additional levies beyond the base county rate.

Property owners should be aware that their total tax rate depends on which taxing jurisdictions their property falls within, and various tax credits may be available to qualifying residents - though these require separate applications and are not automatically applied to tax bills.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
County Base Rate$0.5550Base Burke County levy for FY 2025-2026
Municipal RatesVariesAdditional rates for incorporated areas
Fire DistrictVariesSpecial assessments for fire protection districts
Total Effective Rate$0.5550+Base rate plus applicable district assessments

Note: The $0.5550 per $100 of assessed value is Burke County's base rate effective for the 2025 tax year. Properties within municipalities or special taxing districts will have additional rates applied. For example, properties within city limits will pay both county and municipal rates. Contact the Burke County Tax Office for your specific total rate based on your property's location within various taxing districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Sep 1
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Jan 6
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 Burke County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes in property ownership, value, or use outside of the regular annual assessment cycle. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property transfers that remove exemptions, or discovery of previously unreported improvements to existing properties.

When a supplemental assessment is issued, the additional tax is calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if a $50,000 home addition is completed and assessed in January, and the county tax rate is $0.5550 per $100, the supplemental tax would be $277.50 ($50,000 ÷ 100 × $0.5550) for the full year, or a prorated amount based on when the improvement was completed.

Property owners typically receive supplemental tax bills separately from their annual tax bills, and these are due within the same timeframe as regular property taxes or as specified on the supplemental bill.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home (County Only)

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit: $25,000 (application required)
  • Net Taxable Value: $275,000
  • Tax Rate: $0.5550 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $1,526.25 ($275,000 ÷ 100 × $0.5550)
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$127.19

Example 2: $600,000 Home (County + Municipality)

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit: $25,000 (application required)
  • Net Taxable Value: $575,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: $0.9000 per $100 (estimated with municipal rate)
  • Annual Tax: $5,175.00 ($575,000 ÷ 100 × $0.9000)
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$431.25

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home (All Districts)

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Elderly/Disabled Credit: $50,000 (if qualified, application required)
  • Net Taxable Value: $950,000
  • Combined Tax Rate: $1.0000 per $100 (estimated with all districts)
  • Annual Tax: $9,500.00 ($950,000 ÷ 100 × $1.0000)
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$791.67

Note: Credits shown require separate applications and eligibility verification. Municipal and district rates are estimates - actual rates vary by specific location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Burke County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property tax payments, particularly when the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80%. The lender collects monthly escrow payments along with principal and interest, then pays property taxes directly to Burke County when taxes become due.

Escrow accounts are typically analyzed annually, and lenders may adjust monthly payments based on actual tax bills and account balances. Property owners should receive annual escrow statements showing collections, payments, and any surplus or shortage. If taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, monthly escrow payments may increase accordingly.

Property owners with escrow accounts should still monitor their tax bills for accuracy and ensure their lender receives and pays bills timely. The Burke County Tax Office mails tax bills to the property address, but lenders may need separate notification of supplemental assessments or changes in tax amounts.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Burke County property taxes due for the current tax year? A: Property taxes are due April 15, 2026 for the 2025 tax year. Early payment discounts may be available through May 1, 2026, and final payment without penalty is due by October 15, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require applications? A: Burke County offers several tax credits including Homestead, Elderly/Disabled, Disabled Veteran, and Circuit Breaker credits. ALL of these require separate applications using form AV-9 and are NOT automatically applied to your tax bill.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit typically caps the annual increase in your home's assessed value for tax purposes (often to 10% or less), rather than reducing the market value itself. You must file an application to receive this benefit - it is not automatic.

Q: How often does Burke County reassess properties? A: Burke County conducts county-wide reappraisals periodically as required by state law. Property owners receive notice of new assessments and have the right to appeal through the Board of Equalization and Review process.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Late payment penalties and interest are assessed on taxes not paid by the due date. Contact the Burke County Tax Office for current penalty rates and payment options for delinquent accounts.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Burke County typically offers online payment options through their official website. Check the Burke County Tax Office website for accepted payment methods and any associated convenience fees.

Q: Why is my tax rate different from my neighbor's? A: Tax rates vary based on which special taxing districts your property is located within, such as municipalities, fire districts, or special service districts. Properties in different locations may have different total effective tax rates.

Q: What is the deadline to apply for tax credits? A: Most tax credit applications (AV-9 forms) must be filed by specific deadlines, often during the listing period in early spring. Contact the Burke County Tax Assessor's office for current application deadlines and requirements.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Tax Doc
2024 - 2025 Tax Rates and Effective ...ncdor.gov
02
County
Next County 2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23 2021-22 ...ncdor.gov
03
County
2025-2026 County Tax Rates Final.xlsxncdor.gov
04
Tax Doc
Tax Year Overviewncdor.gov
05
EDI Technical Specifications Form Year 2025ncdor.gov
06
County
County Property Tax Rates and Reappraisal Schedulesncdor.gov
07
Tax Doc
report of the property tax study commissionncleg.gov
08
Tax Doc
Veterans Property Tax Relief | DMVAmilvets.nc.gov
09
Tax Doc
Property Tax - Formsncdor.gov
10
House Bill 129 (Second Edition)ncleg.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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