Paying your Buncombe County property tax bill on time is crucial to avoid penalties and interest. Fortunately, Buncombe County offers multiple convenient options to pay your tax bill online, by phone, mail or in person. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process to pay your Buncombe County tax bill.
Overview of Buncombe County Tax Bills
Buncombe County mails out property tax bills in early August each year The tax bill includes taxes owed to the county as well as any applicable municipal taxes
Key dates
- September 1: Tax bills are due
- January 5: Deadline to pay tax bill to avoid interest charges
- May 31: Deadline for current year taxes before tax liens are advertised
In addition to property tax bills, Buncombe County also sends tax bills for vehicle taxes which are due upon annual vehicle registration renewal.
Benefits of Paying Your Tax Bill On Time
Paying your Buncombe County tax bill on time provides many benefits:
- Avoid penalties and interest charges
- Prevent disruption of county services
- Maintain a good payment history
- Sustain your community services and infrastructure
- Avoid potential legal action or property seizure
Paying on time is a shared civic responsibility that keeps your community running smoothly.
Step 1: Locate Your Buncombe County Tax Bill
Your annual property tax bill and vehicle tax bills are mailed to the address associated with your property or vehicle registration. If you cannot locate your paper bill, you can lookup your tax bill information online.
Step 2: Have Your Information Ready
To pay your tax bill, have these details handy:
- Tax bill number
- Amount due
- Property address or vehicle registration number
- Payment method (cash, check, credit/debit card, electronic funds)
Step 3: Choose a Payment Method
Buncombe County offers multiple ways to pay your tax bill. Choose the most convenient option for you:
Pay Online
The county website allows online payments via e-check or debit/credit card. Visit https://billpay.forte.net/buncombeconctax/ and enter your tax bill number and payment details.
Pay by Phone
Call 1-828-656-5636 to pay your tax bill via automated phone system using your credit/debit card or electronic check.
Pay by Mail
Mail a check or money order with your payment stub to Buncombe County Tax Collector, PO Box 3140, Asheville, NC 28802-3140.
Pay in Person
Visit the Buncombe County Tax Collections office at 94 Coxe Avenue in Asheville to pay your bill in person via cash, check, money order or card.
Enroll in Payment Plan
For large tax bills, enroll in a monthly payment plan by contacting the Tax Collections department. This helps split up the amount due into smaller installments.
Step 4: Double Check Payment Details
Before submitting payment, verify that you have entered the correct tax bill number, property details, payment amount and payment method to avoid errors.
Step 5: Save Your Payment Receipt
After paying your tax bill online, by phone or in person, be sure to save the payment confirmation number or receipt for your records. This serves as proof of payment.
Paying your Buncombe County tax bill through the convenient online, phone, mail or in-person options ensures you meet your payment obligations on time, avoid any penalties and keep your property or services active. Mark your calendar with payment deadlines to prevent forgetting this important civic responsibility. Contact the Buncombe County Tax Collections department if you have any questions or need assistance.
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.