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.
Owning property in Guilford County, North Carolina means paying property taxes that fund essential community services The Guilford County Tax Department makes it easy to pay your tax bill so those services can continue enriching where you live This guide provides homeowners everything needed to understand tax bills and remit prompt payment.
Reviewing Your Guilford County Property Tax Bill
Guilford County mails annual property tax bills in the summer based on assessed home values on January 1 each year. Tax bills include:
- Parcel ID number
- Property location
- Total assessed value
- Exemptions or exclusions
- Tax rate per $100 of value
- Total tax due
- Due date for payment
- Payment options
In addition to real estate, property tax applies to vehicles registered in the county. Review your bill carefully to ensure accurate property details and avoid penalties for underpayment. Contact the Tax Department with any discrepancies
Understanding Guilford County Property Tax Due Dates
Property taxes are due September 1. Payments received after that date incur a 2% late penalty. An additional 3% penalty applies on unpaid taxes starting February 1 the following year.
To avoid penalties, pay your property tax bill in full by September 1. You can also pay early or setup an escrow account through your mortgage lender for automated payments.
Ways to Pay Guilford County Property Taxes
Guilford County offers several convenient payment options:
Pay Online
The quickest way to pay is through the secure online payment portal. Have your parcel ID and credit/debit card ready. A processing fee applies to online payments.
Pay by Mail
Detach the payment stub from your bill and mail with check payable to Guilford County Tax Collector. Allow 10 days for delivery to avoid late fees. Send payments to:
Guilford County Tax Department
PO Box 3138
Greensboro, NC 27402
Pay in Person
Bring your tax bill and payment to the Tax Department office at 400 W. Market St in Greensboro. In-person payments can be made Monday-Friday from 8:30am – 5:00pm.
Pay by Phone
Call 1-888-604-2065 to pay Guilford County property taxes using an automated phone system. Have your parcel ID and credit card information ready.
Property Tax Relief Programs
If you’re struggling financially, Guilford County offers tax relief programs that you may qualify for, including:
- Elderly/Disabled Exclusion – Reduces taxable value for qualifying seniors or disabled individuals
- Disabled Veteran Exclusion – Excludes up to $45,000 of property value for disabled vets
- Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment – Defers taxes until home changes ownership for low-income seniors
Contact the Tax Assessor at 336-641-2082 to learn more about tax relief options.
Avoiding Penalties and Property Tax Foreclosure
To prevent additional fees and interest charges, make sure to:
- Pay your property tax bill in full by September 1
- Review payment history to avoid repeat late payments
- Inform the Tax Department if your mailing address changes
- Apply for tax relief programs if eligible
- Setup an escrow account through your mortgage lender
Repeated failure to pay taxes can result in collections actions, wage garnishment, or even foreclosure. Communicate with the Tax Department early about any issues to avoid severe consequences.
Understanding due dates, payment options, and relief programs allows Guilford County homeowners to pay property taxes on time. Pay online, by phone, mail or in-person for convenience. Seek assistance if needed to avoid penalties. Responsible property tax payment contributes your share toward community schools, infrastructure, safety, and other public services that make Guilford County a great place to live.
How To Find Property Tax Records In Guilford County, North Carolina? – CountyOffice.org
FAQ
Can you pay Guilford County property taxes online?
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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. (No CASH Please) The Guilford County Tax Department uses a service called Payit that allows you to pay tax bills online, by phone, or in person.
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. Follow the steps below to make a partial payment: Once have added the item to your cart and checkout, you can specify the amount tha You can schedule a future payment on myGuilfordCounty for any bill that is not delinquent. 1.
How do I contact the Guilford County Tax Department?
For questions or to provide feedback regarding the information displayed on this site, contact the Guilford County Tax Department at [email protected] 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?
The Collector’s Office is responsible for the collection of all property taxes due to Guilford County as well as Greensboro, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Pleasant Garden, Sedalia, Summerfield and Whitsett, Gibsonville, and parts of Archdale, Burlington, Kernersville and High Point.
Does Guilford County have Payit?
Guilford County has partnered with PayIt to make it easier for you to pay your bill. Our support team is available to answer your questions and ensure your payment, document, or request was successfully submitted. © 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. Residents can make payments, keep track of records, and get reminders, all in one secure and easy to use solution.