That’s something Guilford County property owners have experienced in recent years when their annual property tax bill has arrived in the mail.
Guilford County property tax bills were already plenty high a few years ago; however, in recent years, the 7-to-2 democratic-majority Guilford County Board of Commissioners led by Chairman of the Board Skip Alston has been spending and spending taxpayer money at an unprecedented rate – and that’s led to a dramatic increase in the property taxes being paid by Guilford County homeowners.
The property tax is by far the number one revenue generator for Guilford County government, and citizens in the county keep voting down a sales tax increase. Therefore, look for higher property tax bills in future years as the price of housing, land and buildings continue to go up.
The Guilford County Tax Department conducted a revaluation of all the property in Guilford County in 2022 at a time when housing values were skyrocketing; and that caused the property tax bills of some homeowners and business owners to go up by 25 percent or more.
In the past, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners has lowered the tax rate to a “revenue-neutral” level in years when reevaluations took place – which means that, despite an increase in housing prices, tax bills remained steady and the amount of property tax revenue coming into Guilford County government stayed the same that year (not including new construction and new development that took place that year.)
However, the current Board of Commissioners failed to adjust the tax rate to the revenue-neutral level after the 2022 revaluation because not doing so meant a huge annual revenue increase for them. Instead, they left the tax rate exactly where it was, and they proudly exclaimed “Look, no tax rate increase!” – all while county taxpayers got a “hidden” 14-cent property tax increase per $100 of assessed value. That “hidden” increase generated an extra $92 million a year annually that the commissioners and Guilford County Manager Mike Halford have been happily spending.
All available evidence suggests that is the largest sales tax increase in the history of Guilford County government.
What’s worse about the property tax bills that jumped hugely two years ago and have remained high, is that, even though the county assessed big value increases for county home and business prices, actual home sale prices and property sales prices that followed the reval showed that those newly assessed values were more than 20 percent below the market price of actual real estate sales of property in the county in the months that followed.
State law requires that, when that happens, the offending county conduct another unplanned and early revaluation to correct the situation and better match the assessed values to the actual market values.
That, unfortunately, means Guilford County, as required by law, must hold an earlier than planned countywide property reevaluation, which will take place in 2026; and it also means that, if the same Board of Commissioners is in power at that time, your tax bill is likely to jump higher once again.
The current Guilford County Board of Commissioners has shown no propensity whatsoever to do anything other than consider all new tax revenue as a gift to the board that they can spend freely on virtually every want or suggestion that county staff mentions to them.
In other words, if you don’t like the property tax situation in Guilford County now, you are really, really not going to like it in a few years when housing values are assessed as even higher.
And you absolutely have to pay your property taxes: The Guilford County Tax Department knows very well where you live, and, if you don’t pay your property taxes, the department will eventually come take your house away and sell it to the highest bidder at a government auction.
When it comes to state and federal; income taxes, there are all sorts of creative and legal ways to reduce the taxes you owe. When it comes to property taxes, there aren’t as many options for reducing your bill, however, there are some strategies that will help you pay less.
Here are some ways you can save money when you pay the Tax Department bill the department just mailed out to you in mid-July.
The 1 percent discount is for county property taxes only – not for the tax bills from cities and towns in the county.
Property owners should also refer to their property tax statement to find any municipal property tax discounts that may be available.
Also, enforced collections might start. Pay before the end of the year so you don’t cut it close and you can account for unforeseen problems.
Also, married couples can qualify even if only one partner is 65 or over or disabled. This tax relief program doesn’t require that the discount ever be paid back.
When it came to paying Guilford County property taxes last year, 5180 households took advantage of the tax break program for the elderly, while 1649 households with veterans took advantage of that program for those who’ve served the country.
With other programs thrown in, the total amount of households in the county taking advantage of programs totaled 6,829.
Guilford County Tax Director Ben Chavis and his staff are currently studying tax relief programs that are in effect in other North Carolina Counties so that Guilford County can explore expanding its property tax relief programs during what, for many, is a very challenging economy.
Durham and Mecklenburg counties, for instance, have some property tax relief programs that Guilford County doesn’t have.
Paying your property taxes can be a hassle. You have to remember when they are due, find your tax bill, write a check, and mail it in. With today’s busy lifestyles, it’s easy to forget this important task. But I have good news for Guilford County residents – you can now pay your property taxes online through the Guilford County Tax Department’s website!
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about paying your Guilford County property taxes online. We’ll cover
- The benefits of paying your taxes online
- How to register for an account on the Guilford County Tax Department website
- Step-by-step instructions for making an online payment
- Tips for troubleshooting any issues with online payments
- Key dates for property taxes in Guilford County
So if you own property in Guilford County and you want a fast easy way to pay your taxes read on!
Why Pay Your Taxes Online?
Here are some of the biggest benefits of paying your Guilford County property taxes through the website:
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It’s fast and convenient – No more writing and mailing checks. Payments can be made 24/7 with just a few clicks!
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Avoid late fees – Online payments are processed instantly, so you don’t have to worry about postal delays causing a late payment.
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Payment tracking – You can view your payment history and print receipts right from the website.
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Multiple payment options – Pay with credit card, debit card, or eCheck.
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Get reminders – Opt in to receive email reminders when your taxes are due. No more forgetting!
So if you want to save time and avoid hassle, paying online is definitely the way to go Keep reading to learn how
How to Register for an Account
Before you can pay your taxes online, you’ll need to register for an account on the Guilford County Tax Department website. Here’s how:
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Go to https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/tax/online-tax-services.
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Under the “Online Services” menu, click “New Users” to begin registration.
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Enter your name, email address, phone number, and create a password.
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Type in your property’s parcel ID number, which can be found on your tax bill.
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Agree to the terms and conditions and click “Register Account”.
That’s it! Registration just takes a minute or two. Once your account is created, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a verification code to activate your account.
Now let’s walk through making an online payment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your Taxes Online
Here is a simple 4 step process for paying your Guilford County property taxes through the website:
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Log into your account at https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/tax/online-tax-services.
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Click “Make a Payment” and select Property Tax from the dropdown menu.
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Enter your payment information including the parcel ID, amount due, and payment details. Make sure to double check that the payment amount matches your bill!
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Review your payment details and click Submit. You’ll receive an email confirmation once your payment is processed.
And that’s it! By following these steps you can pay your property tax bill in just a few minutes from the comfort of your home.
Troubleshooting Problems with Online Payments
Paying online is convenient, but technical issues can pop up. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
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Double check your parcel ID – Entering the wrong parcel ID is the most common cause of payment issues. Triple check your tax bill to verify you have the right number.
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Try a different web browser – If you’re having trouble accessing the website, try switching web browsers or clearing your cache.
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Check with your bank – For declined payments, check with your bank to make sure there are no holds on your account.
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Contact support – If you can’t resolve the issue, contact the Guilford County Tax Department support line or email them for assistance.
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Pay by other methods – As a last resort, you can mail a check or pay in person if online payments aren’t working.
The website offers a few ways to get help if you run into any snags. Just reach out to them right away so you don’t miss your payment deadline.
Key Dates for Paying Guilford County Property Taxes
To avoid any late fees or penalties, make sure to pay your Guilford County property taxes by the deadlines. Here are the key dates to know:
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July 1st – Property tax bills are mailed out to owners.
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September 1st – First payment deadline. Pay at least half of your total bill by this date.
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January 5th – Final payment deadline. Pay the remainder of your tax bill by this date to avoid penalties.
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January 6th – Late payment penalties take effect for any unpaid tax amounts.
I always recommend paying as early as possible to get it off your plate. You can even split up payments and pay half in September and half in December if that helps spread out the cost.
Just be sure to mark your calendar with these deadlines so you never miss a payment! Signing up for email reminders is a big help too.
Paying Your Guilford County Property Taxes Online is Easy
As you can see, paying your property taxes through the Guilford County Tax Department website is the fastest and most convenient option. In just minutes you can securely pay your bill from anywhere – no more paper checks!
So if you own property in Guilford County, I highly recommend registering for an account and giving online payments a try. Avoid the postal delay and late fees. Plus you’ll get handy reminders and payment tracking to make your life easier.
How To Find Property Tax Records In Guilford County, North Carolina? – CountyOffice.org
FAQ
Can you pay Guilford County property taxes online?
Download the official app of Guilford County, North Carolina – myGuilfordCounty. The myGuilfordCounty app brings governments and people closer together. In one safe and simple system, residents can pay their bills, keep track of their records, and get reminders.
Can I pay my NC property taxes online?
NCDOR provides electronic services that allow you to securely file and/or pay your taxes online. Each service offers convenient features and customer support. Review the options below and choose the one that is right for you. Online payments can be made by bank draft, Visa or MasterCard.
Can I pay my local property tax online?
PAY PROPERTY TAXES Pay your taxes online using your checking account. There is no cost to you for electronic check (eCheck) payments. You may also pay online by using a debit or credit card.
How do I find my NC property tax bill?
Call your local property tax office (county phone numbers) to get information about your property tax bill for both real estate and cars.
How do I pay my taxes in Guilford County NC?
3. Mail your check or money order to: PO Box 70939, Charlotte, NC 28272-0939. (Please DO NOT BRING CASH) You can pay your Guilford County tax bill online, over the phone, or in person through a service called Payit.
How do I make a partial payment on Guilford County property tax?
Guilford County Property Tax bills have the flexibility to make full or partial payments using myGuilfordCounty. To make a partial payment, do the following: After adding the item to your cart and checking out, you can enter the amount that you want to pay. On myGuilfordCounty, you can set up a future payment for any bill that is not past due. 1.
How do I contact the Guilford County Tax Department?
The Guilford County Tax Department can be reached at TAXAPPRAISAL@GUILFORDCOUNTYNC for questions or comments about the information on this site. GOV or call 336-641-4814. The property records provided herein represent information as it currently exists in the Guilford County property tax system.
Who collects property taxes in Guilford County?
Greensboro, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Pleasant Garden, Sedalia, Summerfield, Whitsett, Gibsonville, and parts of Archdale, Burlington, Kernersville, and High Point all owe property taxes. The Collector’s Office is in charge of collecting those taxes.
Does Guilford County have Payit?
Guilford County has partnered with PayIt to make it easier for you to pay your bill. Our customer service team is here to answer your questions and make sure that your payment, document, or request went through properly. © 2017-2024 PayIt, LLC. All rights reserved.
What is the Guilford County app?
Download the myGuilfordCounty App Today! Download the official app of Guilford County, North Carolina – myGuilfordCounty. The myGuilfordCounty app brings governments and people closer together. In one safe and simple system, residents can pay their bills, keep track of their records, and get reminders.
