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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Carteret County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Carteret 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
$0.225 per $100 assessed value (varies by district with municipal and fire district additions)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Property taxes in Carteret County, North Carolina, serve as the primary funding source for essential local services including schools, emergency services, infrastructure maintenance, and county operations. The county assesses property taxes based on the assessed value of real estate, which is determined through periodic countywide revaluations to maintain current market values.

For fiscal year 2025-2026, Carteret County has established a base tax rate of $0.225 per $100 of assessed value (22.5 cents per $100). However, property owners should note that actual tax rates vary significantly depending on location within the county due to special taxing districts, municipal taxes, fire districts, and other local assessments. Properties within incorporated municipalities may have additional city taxes, while rural properties may have fire district taxes, resulting in combined effective rates that can range from the base county rate to significantly higher depending on services provided in each area.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
County Base Rate$0.225Core county services and operations for FY 2025-2026
Municipal TaxesVariesAdditional taxes for incorporated towns/cities (varies by municipality)
Fire District TaxesVariesSpecial assessments for rural fire protection districts
School BondsIncluded in baseDebt service for school construction projects
Special AssessmentsVariesLocation-specific improvements (water/sewer districts, etc.)

Note: The rates shown apply to fiscal year 2025-2026. Total effective tax rates vary significantly by location within Carteret County depending on which special taxing districts apply to your property. Contact the Carteret County Tax Office to determine your specific total tax rate based on your property's location and applicable districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Carteret 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 Carteret County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes in property ownership, new construction, or improvements made to existing properties during the tax year. These taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change occurs.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include the purchase of property (which may result in a reassessment to current market value), completion of new construction projects, major home improvements or additions, and changes in property use classification. For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in December 2025, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for the increased assessed value covering the remaining months of the fiscal year at the applicable tax rate for your district.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Assessment increase capped (if qualified and applied)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Tax Rate: $0.225 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $675
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $56.25

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Elderly/Disabled Credit Applied: $50,000 exclusion (if qualified and applied)
  • Net Taxable Value: $550,000
  • Tax Rate: $0.225 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $1,237.50
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $103.13

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Disabled Veteran Credit Applied: Varies by disability rating (if qualified and applied)
  • Net Taxable Value: $950,000 (assuming partial credit)
  • Tax Rate: $0.225 per $100 plus special district taxes
  • Annual Tax: $2,137.50+ (excluding special district taxes)
  • Monthly (if escrowed): $178.13+

Note: All credits require separate applications and approval. Rates shown are base county rates only and do not include municipal or special district taxes.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Carteret County require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment or specific loan types. Your lender collects monthly property tax payments along with your mortgage payment and holds these funds in an escrow account to pay your annual property tax bill when due on September 1st each year.

Lenders typically analyze your escrow account annually and may adjust your monthly payment based on actual tax bills and account balances. Since Carteret County property tax bills are mailed in August for the September 1st due date, lenders usually receive and pay these bills directly. Property owners should verify that their lender has paid the correct amount and contact their loan servicer immediately if there are discrepancies, especially regarding applied credits or exemptions that may not appear correctly on the tax bill.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Carteret County property taxes due for fiscal year 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due September 1, 2025, with a final payment date of January 5, 2026, without interest penalties.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Available tax credits include Homestead, Elderly Exclusion, Disabled Exclusion, and Disabled Veteran's Exclusion. All credits require separate applications filed with the county assessor's office and are NOT automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing market value. You must file an application to qualify, and it helps protect against dramatic tax increases due to rising property values.

Q: What happens if I pay late? A: A 2% interest penalty applies to payments made after January 5, 2026. Additional penalties and interest continue to accrue monthly on unpaid balances.

Q: How often are properties revalued in Carteret County? A: Carteret County conducts countywide revaluations periodically to maintain current market values. Property owners receive notices before revaluations and can appeal assessments during specified periods.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Carteret County Tax Office for current online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Q: What if my tax bill doesn't show credits I've qualified for? A: Contact the Carteret County Tax Office immediately if qualified credits (Elderly, Disabled, Veteran's, or Homestead) are missing from your bill, as this may indicate an application issue.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Your total tax rate depends on your property's location and may include municipal taxes, fire district taxes, or other special assessments in addition to the base county rate of $0.225 per $100.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
News Flash • Carteret County Property Tax Bills Arriving Soocarteretcountync.gov
02
County
2025 Tax Rate | Carteret County, NC - Official Websitecarteretcountync.gov
03
County
Next County 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23 2021-22 2020-21ncdor.gov
04
Tax Doc
News Flash • Final Day to Pay Property Taxes Without Interescarteretcountync.gov
05
County
Tax Bill Options | Carteret County, NC - Official Websitecarteretcountync.gov
06
County
Carteret County Property Tax Bills Arriving Sooncarteretcountync.gov
07
OWNER EXEMPTION AFFIDAVIT PURSUANT TO GS 87- ...carteretcountync.gov
08
County
FAQ | Carteret County, NC - Official Websitecarteretcountync.gov
09
County
Tax Relief Programs | Carteret County, NC - Official Websitecarteretcountync.gov
10
Low Income Energy Assistance available through DSScarteretcountync.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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