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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Roane County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Roane County, TN. 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
$1.31-$1.4523 per $100 assessed value (varies by municipality and taxing districts)
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Roane County, Tennessee operates on an annual property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, roads, public safety, and county operations. Property taxes are assessed based on the appraised value of real estate and personal property within the county. The county follows Tennessee's assessment ratio of 25% of appraised value for residential property, meaning your assessed value is typically one-quarter of your property's market value.

Property tax rates in Roane County vary significantly depending on your specific location within the county due to different municipal boundaries and special taxing districts. For properties outside city limits, the 2025 tax rate is $1.4523 per $100 of assessed value, while properties within Kingston have a rate of $1.31 per $100 of assessed value. The effective tax rate for most residential properties ranges from approximately 0.33% to 0.36% of market value, which is below the Tennessee state average of around 1%.

Tax bills are issued annually in October and cover the upcoming tax year. Property owners should note that rates and assessments can change yearly based on county budget requirements, reappraisals, and voter-approved debt measures. Special taxing districts within the county may impose additional levies for specific services or improvements.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100 assessed)Description
County General FundVariesBasic county services, administration, public safety
County School FundVariesRoane County Schools operations and maintenance
County Debt ServiceVariesBond payments for capital improvements
Total Outside Cities$1.4523Combined rate for unincorporated areas (2025)
Kingston City Total$1.31Combined county and city rate (2025)

Note: These rates apply to the 2025 tax levy year. Rates vary by municipality and special taxing district within Roane County. Other incorporated areas may have different combined rates. Contact the Roane County Trustee's office for rates specific to your property location, as additional special assessments may apply for fire districts, utility districts, or other special services.

The total tax rate combines multiple components that fund different government functions. School funding typically represents the largest portion of the property tax bill, followed by general county operations and debt service for infrastructure improvements.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Roane 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 Roane County are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use outside the normal annual assessment cycle. The most common triggers include new construction completion, property improvements that increase value, ownership transfers that prompt reassessment, and corrections to previous assessments.

When supplemental taxes are issued, they are calculated based on the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, multiplied by the current tax rate, and prorated for the remaining portion of the tax year. For example, if a home improvement project increases your assessed value by $5,000 and is completed in January, you would owe supplemental taxes on that $5,000 increase for the remaining 11 months of the tax year.

Supplemental tax bills are typically issued within 30-60 days of the triggering event and become due immediately upon issuance. Unlike regular property taxes, supplemental taxes cannot be paid through mortgage escrow accounts and must be paid directly by the property owner. Property owners should budget for potential supplemental taxes when planning major improvements or purchasing newly constructed homes.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home (Outside Cities)

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (25%): $75,000
  • Tax Rate: $1.4523 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $75,000 ÷ 100 × $1.4523 = $1,089.23
  • Monthly Payment: $90.77

Example 2: $600,000 Home (Kingston)

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (25%): $150,000
  • Tax Rate: $1.31 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $150,000 ÷ 100 × $1.31 = $1,965.00
  • Monthly Payment: $163.75

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home (Outside Cities)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (25%): $250,000
  • Tax Rate: $1.4523 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $250,000 ÷ 100 × $1.4523 = $3,630.75
  • Monthly Payment: $302.56

Note: These calculations do not include potential tax credits that may be available to qualifying property owners. Tax credits such as homestead, elderly, or disabled veteran credits require separate applications and can significantly reduce your tax bill. Contact the Roane County Assessor's office to determine which credits you may qualify for and to obtain application forms.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Roane County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of property taxes. Lenders collect an estimated monthly amount with your mortgage payment and hold these funds in a separate escrow account. When property taxes become due each February, your lender pays the bill directly to the Roane County Trustee's office on your behalf.

Property tax bills are issued in October and are due by February 28th of the following year. Lenders typically receive tax bills electronically or by mail and should make payment before the February deadline to avoid interest charges. If you have an escrow account, you should receive an annual escrow statement from your lender showing the tax payments made on your behalf and any adjustments to your monthly escrow payment.

Property owners with escrow accounts should verify that their lender has received and paid their tax bill by March 1st. You can check payment status online through the Roane County Trustee's website or by contacting their office directly. If your lender fails to pay on time, you remain legally responsible for the taxes and any interest charges. It's important to review your annual escrow analysis for accuracy and contact your lender immediately if you notice any discrepancies in tax payment amounts.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Roane County? A: Property taxes are due annually by February 28th. For the current 2024 tax year, final payment is accepted until April 1, 2026. Interest of 1.5% per month begins accruing on March 1st for any unpaid amounts.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Tennessee offers tax credits for homeowners age 65 or older, those who are 100% disabled, and qualifying veterans. These credits reduce your tax bill and require annual application through the county assessor's office. Applications must be submitted by the deadline specified by the assessor's office each year.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit in Tennessee limits annual increases in assessed value rather than providing a flat reduction. This credit caps assessment growth and requires filing an application with supporting documentation. Contact the Roane County Assessor's office for current application requirements and deadlines.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Tennessee requires county-wide reappraisals every four to six years. Roane County follows the state schedule for systematic reappraisal of all properties to ensure assessments reflect current market values.

Q: Can I appeal my property assessment? A: Yes, property owners can appeal assessments through the Roane County Board of Equalization. Appeals must be filed within the specified timeframe after receiving your assessment notice, typically within 30 days.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Interest of 1.5% per month is charged on unpaid taxes beginning March 1st. Additional penalties may apply for severely delinquent accounts, and unpaid taxes can eventually result in tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Roane County Trustee's office to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods. Many Tennessee counties offer online payment systems for property taxes.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Roane County? A: Different municipalities and special taxing districts within Roane County impose varying rates. Properties in Kingston have different rates than unincorporated areas, and special districts for fire protection, utilities, or other services may add additional assessments to your tax bill.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

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

01
Assessor of Propertyroanecountytn.gov
02
Tax Doc
Property Taxes | Oliver Springs, TN - Official Websiteoliversprings-tn.gov
03
Tax Doc
Taxes - City of Kingston, TNkingstontn.gov
04
Trusteeroanecountytn.gov
05
Tax Doc
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PROGRAMroanecountytn.gov
06
County
Roane (County)fema.gov
07
County
Roane County, Tennesseeroanecountytn.gov
08
tva.htmsec.gov
09
Tax Doc
How to Calculate Your Tax Billcomptroller.tn.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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