Where to look for your property tax bill
Your property tax bill comes from your county assessor's office or tax collector's office — the exact name varies by state and county. The fastest way to find it is to visit your county's official website and look for a property search tool, often called a "property tax lookup" or "tax bill search." You will need your property address or parcel number to search.
If you do not have internet access or prefer paper documents, you can call your county tax collector or assessor's office directly. They can mail you a copy or read the amount over the phone. The phone number appears on any previous tax bill you have, or you can find it by searching "[your county name] tax collector" online.
Your bill may also arrive by mail automatically if you are on the mailing list. Property tax bills are typically sent once or twice per year, depending on your state and county. If you have not received one and think you should have, contact your county office to confirm your address is correct in their system.
Key Takeaways
- Your county assessor or tax collector's office maintains your property tax bill, and most counties let you search for it online using your address or parcel number.
- If you do not know your parcel number, the county website search tool will usually find it when you enter your street address.
- You can call your county tax office directly to request a bill by mail or to ask questions about the amount or due date.
- Property tax bills arrive on different schedules depending on your state — some counties send them once a year, others twice, so check your county's website for the typical timing.
Using your county's online property search tool
Most counties now offer a free online search where you can look up your bill yourself without calling. Go to your county's official website — search "[county name] assessor" or "[county name] tax collector" — and look for a link labeled "property search," "tax bill lookup," "property records," or "GIS map." Click that link and enter your street address or parcel number.
The search will return your property record, which usually shows the assessed value, tax amount, and due date. Some counties display the full bill online; others show only summary information and require you to call or visit in person for details. If the tool shows your bill, you can usually print or read it directly from the page.
If you do not know your parcel number, do not worry — most search tools will find it when you type in your address. The parcel number is a unique identifier assigned to your property by the county and appears on your bill and property records. Having it handy makes future searches faster, so write it down once you find it.
What information appears on your property tax bill
Your bill shows the assessed value of your property, the tax rate your county applies, and the total amount you owe. It also lists the due date and any penalties for late payment. Some bills break down the tax into separate line items — for example, one line for county tax, another for school district tax, and another for local services — so you can see where your money goes.
The bill may also show whether you have already paid part of the amount or whether you owe the full sum. If you pay through an escrow account (usually set up by your mortgage lender), the lender pays the bill on your behalf, and you will not see a bill arrive at your home — but you can still look it up online to confirm the amount and due date.
Finding your parcel number if you do not have it
Your parcel number is printed on your property tax bill, but if you have lost that bill or never received one, you can find the number through your county's online search tool. Enter your street address and the system will return your parcel number along with your property record.
You can also find your parcel number by visiting your county assessor's office in person or calling them. Have your street address ready when you call. Once you have the number, save it — it will make future searches much faster and is useful if you ever need to contact the county about your property.
What to do if you cannot find your bill online
If your county does not offer an online search tool, or if you search but find no record of your property, call the tax collector's office directly. Explain that you own the property at [your address] and ask them to mail you a copy of your current bill or read the amount to you over the phone.
If the office has no record of your property at all, this may mean the property is not yet in the tax system (rare for established homes), the address in their system does not match what you entered, or there is an error in the county records. Ask the office to help you locate your property record or explain why no record exists. They can also tell you whether your property is subject to property tax in your state — a small number of states do not use property tax.
Accessing your bill if you have a mortgage
If you have a mortgage, your lender usually collects property tax as part of your monthly payment and pays the bill on your behalf through an escrow account. You will not receive a bill in the mail, but you can still look up your property's tax amount online through your county's search tool.
Your mortgage lender also sends you an annual escrow statement showing how much they paid toward property tax that year. This statement arrives in the mail and lists the tax amount, the date paid, and the payee (your county). If you want to verify the amount your lender paid matches what the county shows, you can compare the escrow statement to your county's online record.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do property tax bills get sent out?
This varies by state and county. Some counties send bills once per year, others twice per year. Check your county's website or call the tax collector's office to learn the schedule for your area. If you have a mortgage, your lender's escrow statement will also show the payment dates.
What if the address in the county system does not match my current address?
Call your county assessor or tax collector and ask them to update your mailing address in their system. Provide your parcel number or street address and the correct mailing address where you want bills sent. This change usually takes a few business days to process.
Can I see my property tax bill if someone else owns the property?
Most county search tools show property records to the public, so you can usually look up any address and see the assessed value and tax amount. However, some counties restrict access to certain details. If you need the bill for a property you do not own — for example, to research a purchase — try the online search first, then call the county if you need more information.
What if I think my property tax bill is wrong?
Contact your county assessor's office and explain your concern. They can review the assessed value and explain how it was calculated. If you believe the assessment is incorrect, most counties allow you to file a formal challenge or appeal, usually within a set time window after the bill is issued. Ask the assessor's office about the important date and process for your county.
Do I need to print my bill or can I just look it up online?
For your records, it is a good idea to print or save a copy of your bill, especially if you pay online or by mail. If you pay through your mortgage lender's escrow account, you do not need to do anything — the lender handles payment. Keep a copy of your bill in case you need to reference it later for tax purposes or property records.