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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Clay County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Clay County, WV. 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
Varies by location within county due to municipal boundaries and special taxing districts
Exemptions
4+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Clay County, West Virginia operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for these vital community services. The county assesses property taxes based on the assessed value of real estate and personal property, with rates varying depending on your specific location within the county due to different municipal boundaries and special taxing districts.

For the 2025 tax year, property owners in Clay County face a combined tax rate that includes county levies, school district taxes, state assessments, and municipal taxes where applicable. The effective tax rate varies by location but generally ranges from approximately 1.5% to 2.0% of assessed value annually. It's important to note that your actual tax rate depends on which municipality you're located in and any special assessment districts that may apply to your property. Property tax bills are issued after July 15th each year and are payable in two installments to help manage the financial burden on property owners.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $100Description
County Tax$57.20General county operations, services, and infrastructure
School Tax$91.80Clay County school district funding
State Tax$1.00West Virginia state property tax
Municipal Tax$50.00City/town taxes (varies by municipality)
Total Combined$200.00Base rate before special districts

Rates shown are for Levy Year 2025 and apply to assessed valuation. Municipal rates vary significantly by city/town within Clay County. Some areas may have additional special assessment districts for fire protection, water/sewer, or other services that will increase the total rate. Contact the Clay County Assessor's office to determine the exact rate that applies to your specific property location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Clay 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 property taxes in Clay County are additional tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, new construction, or improvements that increase the assessed value during the tax year. These supplemental taxes cover the difference between what was originally assessed and the new assessment amount, prorated for the remaining months in the tax year.

Common triggers for supplemental taxes include: purchasing a home that triggers a reassessment, completing new construction or major renovations, adding structures like garages or sheds, or splitting/combining parcels. For example, if you purchase a $400,000 home in March that was previously assessed at $300,000, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for the additional $100,000 in assessed value, calculated from March through the end of the tax year. The supplemental tax would be approximately $1,000 (using the $200 per $100 rate) prorated for 10 months, resulting in about $833 in additional taxes due.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Total Tax Rate: $200.00 per $100
  • Annual Tax: $6,000
  • Monthly Escrow: $500

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead Credit

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less: Homestead Assessment Limitation: -$12,000 (example benefit)
  • Net Taxable Value: $588,000
  • Annual Tax: $11,760
  • Monthly Escrow: $980

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property with Senior/Disability Credit

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less: Senior Citizen Tax Credit: -$20,000 (example benefit)
  • Net Taxable Value: $980,000
  • Annual Tax: $19,600
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,633

Note: Tax credits shown are examples and require separate applications with specific eligibility requirements. Actual credits available and amounts vary. Contact the Clay County Assessor's office for current credit programs and application procedures.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Clay County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely tax payments. Your lender collects approximately 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, holding these funds in a separate escrow account. The lender then pays your property taxes directly to the county when they become due on September 1st and March 1st.

Lenders typically conduct an annual escrow analysis to review your account balance and adjust your monthly payment if needed. If property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will increase accordingly. You should receive an annual escrow statement showing all deposits and payments. It's important to verify that your lender is paying the correct amount by reviewing your property tax bills. If you pay off your mortgage or choose not to escrow, you become responsible for making the semi-annual payments directly to the Clay County Sheriff's office by the due dates to avoid penalties and interest charges.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Clay County for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due in two installments: September 1, 2025, for the first half and March 1, 2026, for the second half. Payments are considered delinquent if not received by these dates.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Common tax credits include Homestead, Senior Citizen, and Disability credits, but each requires a separate application with the Clay County Assessor's office. Applications typically have annual deadlines and specific eligibility requirements. Contact the assessor's office for current available credits and application forms.

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 cap assessment growth, and it's not automatic. This helps protect long-term residents from dramatic tax increases due to rising property values.

Q: How often is property reassessed in Clay County? A: West Virginia law requires county-wide reappraisals periodically. Property values are also reassessed upon sale or when improvements are made. You can appeal your assessment through the Clay County Board of Equalization if you believe it's incorrect.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Interest accrues on delinquent taxes starting October 1st for the first installment and April 1st for the second installment. Additional penalties may apply for extended delinquency.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Clay County Sheriff's office to inquire about online payment options, as availability varies by county in West Virginia.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase even though the tax rate stayed the same? A: Tax increases can result from property reassessment, new construction, improvements to your property, or changes in special district assessments in your area.

Q: What if I live in a municipality within Clay County? A: Municipal residents pay additional city/town taxes on top of county, school, and state taxes. The municipal rate varies by location, so your total effective tax rate will be higher than unincorporated areas.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Clay Countywvde.us
02
Tax Doc
CLASSIFIED ASSESSED VALUATIONS TAXES LEVIEDtax.wv.gov
03
Tax Doc
Property Tax Rates - West Virginia Tax Divisiontax.wv.gov
04
Tax Doc
Property Tax Due Dates - West Virginia Tax Division - WV.govtax.wv.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Forms and Publicationstax.wv.gov
06
County
CLAY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, INC. ...legis.state.wv.us
07
Bill Status - Search Bills by Sponsorwvlegislature.gov
08
Bill Status - Search Bills by Sponsorwvlegislature.gov
09
01/27/2026 - Rules (9:00 AMflsenate.gov
10
Tax Doc
Property Tax Modernization Amendmentwvlegislature.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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