Paying your property taxes is an important responsibility for homeowners and landowners in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Failure to pay your tax bill on time can result in penalties, interest charges, and even foreclosure on your property Thankfully, Buncombe County offers several convenient options for paying your tax bill. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of paying your Buncombe County tax bill
Understanding Your Tax Bill
Your Buncombe County tax bill provides important information that you’ll need when paying your taxes Here are some key items to look for on your bill
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Property ID Number This unique identifier is specific to your property You’ll need it when paying online or over the phone,
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Tax Year: This shows the fiscal year for which you owe taxes. Buncombe County tax bills are issued in August and due by January 5th of the following year.
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Assessed Value: This is the value assigned to your property by the county tax assessor. Your tax amount is calculated based on a tax rate applied to the assessed value.
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Tax Amount Due: This is the total amount you owe for the tax year. It includes county, municipal, and other taxes.
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Due Date: The date your payment must be received by to avoid penalties and interest. For Buncombe County, taxes are due by January 5th.
Review your tax bill carefully and make note of the important details before attempting to pay. Contact the Buncombe County Tax Department if you have any questions about your bill.
Pay Online
The easiest and most convenient way to pay your Buncombe County tax bill is online. Here’s how to pay online in just a few quick steps:
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Go to billpay.forte.net/buncombeconctax/. This is the county’s official tax payment website.
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Click “Pay Tax Bill” and then enter your property ID number and the year for which you are paying taxes.
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Select your payment method. You can pay directly from your bank account with an e-check for no fee. Credit and debit cards are also accepted for a small convenience fee.
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Enter your payment information and complete the simple checkout process.
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Save your confirmation number for your records. Online payments may take up to 3 business days to process.
Paying online allows you to securely pay your tax bill 24/7. You’ll avoid mailing delays and last-minute trips to the tax office. Just be sure to pay by January 5th to avoid any late fees or interest.
Pay by Phone
For those who prefer to pay bills over the phone, Buncombe County offers a simple automated payment system. Follow these steps:
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Call 1-828-656-5636. This is the county’s toll-free tax payment line.
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When prompted, enter your property ID number and follow the voice instructions to make your payment.
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Have your payment information ready. The automated system will walk you through entering your bank account or card details.
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Write down the confirmation number at the end for your records.
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Allow up to 3 business days for phone payments to process.
The phone payment system is available 24 hours a day. Just call anytime before the January 5th deadline to pay your bill.
Pay by Mail
If you would rather mail in a traditional paper check, here is how to pay your Buncombe County tax bill by mail:
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Make your check payable to Buncombe County Tax Collector.
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Write your property ID number and the applicable tax year in the memo line.
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Mail your payment to:
Buncombe County Tax Collector
PO Box 3140
Asheville, NC 28802 -
Make sure to mail your payment in enough time to arrive by January 5th to avoid late fees. Allow 7-10 days for delivery.
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Keep your mailing receipt or request delivery confirmation to have proof your payment was sent on time.
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Payments received after January 5th will be charged interest and penalties even if they were mailed on time.
Mailing your payment is convenient if you prefer to pay by check. Just make sure to account for mail delivery time when sending your payment.
Pay in Person
For those who prefer to pay their taxes in person, you can visit the Buncombe County Tax Collections office at:
Buncombe County Tax Collections
94 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
The office is open Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm. You can pay with cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Make sure to bring your tax bill or property ID number when paying in person.
The county also has two tax bill drop boxes where you can deposit payments:
- Weaverville Library – 41 N. Main St, Weaverville
- Black Mountain Library – 105 N. Dougherty St, Black Mountain
Just be sure to pay by January 5th to avoid any late fees or interest charges.
Explore Payment Plan Options
If you cannot afford to pay your entire tax bill at once, Buncombe County offers payment plans, including:
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Casual Payment Plan: Pay a predetermined monthly amount that you choose.
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Preauthorized Debit Plan: Automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account.
Contact the Buncombe County Tax Department at 828-250-4910 to set up a payment plan. As long as you are enrolled by January 5th and make consistent monthly payments, you can avoid penalties.
Avoid Delinquency and Late Fees
It is important to pay your Buncombe County tax bill in full by January 5th each year. Tax bills left unpaid after this deadline are considered delinquent. Delinquent accounts are charged the following penalties:
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Interest: An annual rate of 2% above the Federal Reserve discount rate is applied to unpaid balances.
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Advertising Fee: A $15 advertising fee is added to unpaid accounts published in the newspaper.
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Collection Actions: Delinquent accounts may be sent to collection agencies or have liens or garnishments placed on them.
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Property Foreclosure: After 3 years of delinquency, the county can initiate foreclosure proceedings and sell your property at auction.
Don’t let your taxes become delinquent and accrue unnecessary fees. Use one of the payment options above to pay your bill on time by January 5th. Reach out to the Buncombe County Tax Department if you need help or have any other questions. Paying your property taxes protects your property rights and funds essential community services.
Preauthorized Debit Payment Plan
The Preauthorized Debit Plan automatically withdraws a predetermined amount from your bank account every month.
Note: If you have a bill from 2023, you must finish monthly payments by May, 2024.
Both payment plans require you to contact our office. For more information or to enroll in a payment plan call a County Account Representative at (828) 250-4910 to talk to a Tax Collector to start the process.
Answers to commonly asked tax questions.
Tax notices (bills) are mailed in early August each year and are due on September 1st. There is, however, a four month grace period that allows you to pay your taxes up to the following January 5 before interest is added. In effect, January 5th is the deadline for paying property taxes.
The owner of the property as of January 1st of the current tax year is responsible for taxes for the entire year, unless the property changes ownership during the tax year. If there is a change of ownership, the owner of record on the following January 6 or date interest begins and any subsequent owner will be held liable for any unpaid real estate taxes.
The Tax Department does not prorate real estate taxes; this should be handled between the buyer and seller at the time of the sale. The Tax Department will attempt to send the bill to the January 1 owner of record as well as any subsequent owners. Tax liens against the property will stay until the taxes are paid in full.
You are billed for the vehicle you owned on the date of registration. If you have purchased a new vehicle and transferred your tags from the old vehicle to the new one, then the tax on the old vehicle would be due in full. You would not receive a tax bill on the new vehicle until you renew your registration on the old tag. However, if you sold your vehicle AND turned in the tag to the DMV, you should send a copy of the receipt from DMV to the Tax Department within one (1) year in order to qualify for a release or refund.
North Carolina DMV collects both vehicle registration fees and property taxes. If you have questions regarding your vehicle registration contact the DMV at (919) 814-1779 or visit https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/title-registration/registration/Pages/tag-tax-together.aspx.
Licensed Motor Vehicles and Trailers are listed automatically when you register or renew your motor vehicle or trailer registration through the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Each month the Department Of Motor Vehicles sends to each County Tax Office a list of every person in the county who has registered a motor vehicle or a trailer. A licensed trailer includes any trailer that requires a registration, such as boat trailers, animal trailers, utility trailers, camping trailers and motor homes. Taxpayers receive a separate tax bill for each licensed motor vehicle or trailer about three (3) months after it is registered.
To access registered motor vehicle property taxes paid to the NC DMV please visit this site:
You will need:
- your NC Drivers License or NC Identification Card Number,
- the Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number,
- I-94 (Arrival/Departure US Customs Form) or Alien Registration Number,
- and birth date
Once logged in, you will see “Correspondence” on the right side of the window. Under “Correspondence” you will be able to select the year for Vehicle Property Tax Fee paid or as pictured VEH PROP TAX FEE. Select the year desired and all vehicles paid for in that year will pop up with the total taxes paid for each vehicle in that calendar year.
Businesses will not be able to access tax information through the MyDMV Portal.
If you wish to appeal the value of your vehicle, you will need to furnish the following information to the county tax department within thirty (30) days from the billing date:
- If recently purchased from a dealer, a copy of the bill of sale.
- One appraisal stating the average retail value as of January 1st of the taxing year. This appraisal must be from a licensed vehicle dealer. You need one copy of the Vehicle Appraisal Form for each vehicle that you are appealing.
- Mileage reading – odometer statement from the most recent vehicle inspection or vehicle service receipt.
- If wrecked, bring an appraisal indicating extent of damage and cost to repair and when the accident took place.
The most convenient way to pay your taxes is to use the self addressed envelope you received with your bill. Also, you may pay your bills in person at the Tax Department on 94 Coxe Avenue or you can use the Tax Bill Drop Box. Our convenient payment drop boxes are located at Weaverville Library, 41 N. Main St and Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St. There will be signs to direct you.
*For more information please visit Property Tax Collections.
*Please visit Property Tax Collections.
Please mail any correspondence relating to the assessment of real estate, motor vehicle values, mobile home valuation, and any other concerns or appeals in value assessment to:
Tax Assessment 155 Hilliard Avenue Asheville, NC 28801
Please mail any correspondence relating to collections to:
Buncombe County Tax Collections PO Box 3140 Asheville, NC 28802-3140
The responsibility of the Tax Department is to value all taxable property in the County. The total value of all the property in the county is called the tax base. Each county agency or department submits an annual operating budget to the county manager. The county manager submits a recommended total budget to the county commissioners for their consideration. In June, the Board of Commissioners reviews the budget, conducting public hearings to get residents input. By the end of June, the commissioners adopt the budget. The budget is divided by the tax base value to determine a tax rate. The tax rate is based on amounts per each $100 in value. Of course this process is not as simple as it sounds; many laborious hours are spent analyzing the budgets and county programs to arrive at a budget that will provide the most cost efficient services to Buncombe County.
A similar process is completed for each municipality and fire district. The whole process is usually completed by the end of June and the county commissioners and town boards establish new tax rates in July. Once the tax rates are established, taxpayers receive a consolidated tax bill, usually in August, which includes Buncombe County, fire district, Asheville Schools, City of Asheville, Town of Black Mountain, Town of Montreat, or the Town of Woodfin, depending on the location of the property.
PAY AT A DROP-OFF BOX
Drop off your tax payment with the payment coupon in one of our two drop boxes located in downtown Asheville.
Weaverville Library at 41 N. Main St., Weaverville
Black Mountain Library at 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
PLEASE NOTE: It may take up to three (3) business days for credit card and e-check payments initiated online or via telephone to post to outstanding bills.
Ways to Pay Your Taxes in Buncombe County
FAQ
How do I find my NC property tax bill?
Can I pay my local property tax online?
Can I pay my NC property taxes online?
What is the property tax rate in Forsyth County?
How do I pay a bill on mybuncombecounty?
After locating a property on MyBuncombeCounty (see Add a Property on MyBuncombeCounty), you can complete a payment by following the steps below: 1. Click Find and Pay Bill 2. Click the bill you wish to pay and click Pay Bill 3. Select Yes to proceed to payment, or select Never mind to go back to the Dashboard 4.
Can I pay my taxes online in Buncombe County?
It’s now even easier to pay online, Buncombe County has partnered with PayIt to allow residents to easily pay their tax bills online through the MyBuncombeCounty portal. Note: If you have used the myNCDMV portal, you already have an account and can use the same login information.
How do I get a property tax notice in Buncombe County?
For Buncombe County property owners, property tax notices (bills) are now available online at our one-stop property tax resource tax.buncombecounty.org. Tax notices will be in the mail starting the week of Aug. 19 and due Sept. 1, with a four-month grace period that allows you to pay through Jan. 6, 2025, without penalty.
What does the Buncombe County Tax Department do?
The Buncombe County Tax Department is comprised of Assessment and Collections. Tax Collections is responsible for collecting all real and personal property taxes assessed within the county, occupancy tax, gross receipts tax, and beer and wine retail license fees.
Does Buncombe County provide accurate tax information?
The Buncombe County Tax departments make every effort to provide accurate and timely information; however, due to the constantly changing nature of tax information, Buncombe County makes no warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of this tax information.
When should I list my property in Buncombe County?
It is the responsibility of the owner to list personal property with the Buncombe County Tax Department in January of each year to avoid incurring a penalty for late listing. The process of determining the value of real property for property tax purposes.
