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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Guilford County
Property Tax Guide

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

7 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
73.05 cents per $100 of assessed value (varies by special taxing districts)
1st Due
Sep 1
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Guilford County, North Carolina operates under a property tax system that serves as the primary funding mechanism for essential county services, including schools, public safety, infrastructure, and social services. The county assesses property taxes based on the market value of real estate, with the current tax rate set at 73.05 cents per $100 of assessed property value for fiscal year 2025-2026. This rate has remained stable since 2023, providing consistency for property owners in budgeting and financial planning.

It's important to note that actual tax rates can vary by location within Guilford County due to special taxing districts, which may impose additional assessments for specific services or improvements in certain areas. Property owners should verify their specific tax district to understand their complete tax obligation. The county conducts periodic reappraisals to ensure assessments reflect current market values, with the next countywide reappraisal scheduled for 2026, during which new values will be assigned to all real property at current market value.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)DescriptionFiscal Year
Base County Tax$0.7305General county operations, schools, servicesFY 2025-2026
Special DistrictsVariesAdditional assessments for specific areas (fire districts, municipal service districts)FY 2025-2026

Note: The base rate of 73.05 cents per $100 of assessed value applies countywide and has been maintained from FY 2023-2024 through FY 2025-2026. Properties located in special taxing districts may face additional assessments that vary by district and service type. Property owners should contact the Guilford County Tax Department to determine if their property is subject to any special district taxes, as these can add 5-20 cents per $100 of assessed value depending on the district and services provided.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

First Installment
Sep 1
Delinquent after Dec 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 are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, value, or classification that occur after the regular tax roll has been prepared. Common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase value, ownership transfers that remove previous exemptions or credits, and corrections to assessment errors discovered mid-year.

Supplemental taxes are calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a home improvement project completed in January increases a property's assessed value by $50,000, and the current tax rate is $0.7305 per $100, the supplemental tax would be $365.25 ($50,000 ÷ 100 × $0.7305) prorated for the remaining months of the fiscal year. Property owners typically receive supplemental tax bills within 30-60 days of the triggering event and have the same payment options available as regular tax bills.

Example Calculation

Property Value: $300,000

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less: Homestead Credit (if applied): Caps future assessment increases
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000
  • Annual Tax: $300,000 ÷ 100 × $0.7305 = $2,191.50
  • Monthly (Escrow): $182.63

Property Value: $600,000

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Elderly/Disabled Credit (if qualified and applied): Varies by income
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000
  • Annual Tax: $600,000 ÷ 100 × $0.7305 = $4,383.00
  • Monthly (Escrow): $365.25

Property Value: $1,000,000

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Applicable Credits (if applied): Various programs available
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000
  • Annual Tax: $1,000,000 ÷ 100 × $0.7305 = $7,305.00
  • Monthly (Escrow): $608.75

Important Note: Tax credits such as Homestead, Elderly/Disabled, and Disabled Veteran credits require annual application using form AV-9 and are not automatically applied. These credits can significantly reduce tax liability for qualifying property owners.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders collect property taxes through escrow accounts, where monthly mortgage payments include a portion for property taxes that the lender holds and pays directly to Guilford County when taxes are due. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the annual tax amount each month and may require an initial escrow deposit at closing. Property taxes in Guilford County are generally due by January 5th of each year for the current fiscal year, and lenders usually make payments in late December or early January.

Guilford County provides an EscrowCheck tool that offers real-time tax payment status updates, allowing property owners to verify if an escrow account exists on their property and whether escrow payments have been submitted by their lender. Before making duplicate payments or contacting the Tax Department with payment inquiries, property owners should use this verification tool available at https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/tax/pay-taxes-online. The tool requires entering the property's parcel number in the "Search by item number" field and provides immediate confirmation of payment status and escrow arrangement details.

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 for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are typically due by January 5th following the tax year. Late payments are subject to penalties and interest charges that accrue monthly.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Guilford County offers several tax credits including Homestead, Elderly/Disabled, Disabled Veteran, and Circuit Breaker credits. All credits require annual application using form AV-9 and are not automatically applied to your tax bill.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit doesn't reduce your current assessed value but caps future assessment increases to help limit tax growth. You must file an application to receive this benefit, and it applies to your primary residence only.

Q: When does the county reassess property values? A: Guilford County conducts countywide reappraisals periodically, with the next scheduled for 2026. Between reappraisals, values may be adjusted for improvements or market changes.

Q: How can I appeal my property assessment? A: Property owners can appeal assessments during designated appeal periods. Contact the Guilford County Tax Department for specific deadlines and procedures.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur interest and penalties that compound monthly. Contact the Tax Department for current penalty rates and payment arrangement options.

Q: Can I pay my taxes online? A: Yes, taxes can be paid online using American Express, Discover, MasterCard, VISA, or e-Check at https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/tax/pay-taxes-online. A processing fee of 1.85% applies to web, mobile, and phone payments.

Q: Do special taxing districts affect my tax rate? A: Yes, properties in special districts (fire districts, municipal service districts) may face additional assessments beyond the base county rate. Contact the Tax Department to verify if your property is in a special district.

Q: Where can I get more information about Guilford County property taxes? A: Visit https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/tax for comprehensive information, forms, and contact details for the Guilford County Tax Department.

Verified Sources

Backed by 7 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Guilford County Assessorguilfordcountync.gov
02
County
Guilford County Shares Property Tax Facts, Dates, and ...guilfordcountync.gov
03
County
GUILFORD COUNTY TAX RATES BY JURISDICTION AND ...guilfordcountync.gov
04
County
Guilford County Summaryncpro.nc.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax - Formsncdor.gov
06
2026 Business Personal Property Listing form - Excelguilfordcountync.gov
07
EX-4.6sec.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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