How Property Tax Works
Morgan County, West Virginia operates on an annual property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, law enforcement, fire protection, and county government operations. Property taxes are levied based on assessed values determined by the Morgan County Assessor's Office, with West Virginia's base assessment rate of approximately 1% of fair market value for residential properties.
The effective tax rate in Morgan County varies by location within the county due to special taxing districts, municipal levies, and school district boundaries. Property owners may be subject to additional assessments for services such as fire protection districts, library services, or special improvement projects. The county offers a homestead exemption program that can reduce the taxable assessed value by $20,000 for qualifying owner-occupied residences, though this exemption requires a separate application and is not automatically applied.