Where to look for property tax records
Property tax records are public documents held by your county assessor's office or tax assessor's office — the exact name varies by state and county. This office maintains records on every property in the county, including the assessed value, tax amount, and payment history. You can find these records in person at the assessor's office, by phone, by mail, or through the county's online database.
The fastest route is usually the county assessor's website. Most counties now post searchable databases where you can enter an address or parcel number and see the property's tax information within seconds. If your county does not have an online database, the assessor's office staff can pull the information for you over the phone or by mail, though this typically takes a few business days.
If you own the property, you may also receive a property tax bill or assessment notice in the mail each year. This document shows the assessed value and the tax owed. Renters do not receive these notices directly, but landlords do.
Key Takeaways
- Property tax records are kept by your county assessor's office and are open to the public, whether or not you own the property.
- Most counties have online databases on their assessor's website where you can search by address or parcel number in seconds.
- If the county does not have an online database, you can call or visit the assessor's office in person to request the information.
- Property owners receive a tax bill or assessment notice each year that shows the assessed value and amount owed.
- You will need either the street address or the parcel number to search, and parcel numbers are listed on property tax bills and deed documents.
How to search the county assessor's online database
Start by finding your county assessor's website. Search "[your county name] assessor" or "[your county name] property tax records" in a search engine. Once you are on the assessor's website, look for a link labeled "search records," "property search," "assessment database," or "tax records lookup." The exact wording differs by county.
Enter either the street address or the parcel number. The parcel number is a unique identifier assigned to each property — it appears on property tax bills, deed documents, and mortgage statements. If you have the parcel number, use it, because it is more precise than an address. If you only have the address, that usually works too.
The database will return the property record, which typically shows the owner's name, assessed value, tax amount, and sometimes payment history. Some counties also display the property's square footage, lot size, year built, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
Getting property tax information by phone or mail
If your county does not have an online database, or if you cannot find the information you need online, contact the assessor's office directly. Call the main number listed on the county website and ask for the property tax information for a specific address. Have the street address or parcel number ready when you call.
The staff member will either give you the information over the phone or mail it to you. Phone requests are usually answered the same day or within one business day. Mail requests typically take five to ten business days, depending on the office's workload.
Some counties also allow you to request property tax information by email. Check the assessor's website for an email address or online form. Include the property address or parcel number in your request.
What information you will find on a property tax record
A property tax record shows the assessed value, which is the value the county assessor assigned to the property for tax purposes. This is not the same as the market value or the price someone would pay to buy it. The assessed value is usually lower than the market value and is used to calculate the property tax bill.
The record also shows the annual property tax amount owed. This is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the tax rate set by your county and any local taxing districts (such as schools or fire departments). The tax rate varies widely by location — a property worth the same amount in one county may owe much more or much less in another county.
Some records include payment history, showing whether taxes were paid on time or late. Others show exemptions, such as homestead exemptions or senior exemptions, that reduce the tax owed. The record may also list the property's physical characteristics, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, and lot size.
Finding property tax information for a property you do not own
Property tax records are public information, so you can search for any property regardless of whether you own it. This is useful if you are thinking about buying a property and want to know the current tax amount, or if you are a renter and want to understand what your landlord pays in taxes.
Use the same method as above: search the county assessor's online database by address or parcel number. The information returned will be the same whether you own the property or not. No permission is required to view public property tax records.
Keep in mind that the assessed value on the record may not reflect recent changes to the property. Assessments are usually updated once a year, so if a property was recently renovated or improved, the assessed value may not yet reflect those changes. The next assessment cycle will typically catch up to the current condition.
Understanding parcel numbers and how to find yours
A parcel number is a unique identifier assigned to each piece of property by the county assessor. It is usually printed on property tax bills, deed documents, and mortgage statements. The format varies by state — some use a straightforward number like 123456, while others use a longer format like 12-34-56-789 or 123-45-6789.
If you own the property, the easiest way to find your parcel number is to look at your property tax bill or assessment notice. If you do not have a recent bill, check your mortgage statement or the deed to your property. Both documents usually list the parcel number.
If you are searching for a property you do not own and do not have the parcel number, use the street address instead. The county assessor's online database will return the parcel number along with the tax information, so you will have it for future searches.
What to do if you cannot find the property tax information online
If the county assessor's website is down or does not have the property listed, try these steps. First, double-check the address spelling and format — some databases are sensitive to how you enter the information. Try searching with just the street number and name, without the apartment or unit number.
Second, try searching by parcel number instead of address, or vice versa. If one method does not work, the other often will. Third, check whether you are searching the correct county — properties near county lines are sometimes in a different county than expected.
If the online search still does not work, call the assessor's office directly. Explain that you have tried the online database and ask them to pull the information manually. They can usually do this within a few minutes if you have the correct address or parcel number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find property tax information for any address?
Yes. Property tax records are public documents, so you can search for any property in your county regardless of whether you own it. The county assessor's office maintains records on every parcel of land and every building in the county, and these records are open to the public.
What is the difference between assessed value and market value?
Assessed value is what the county assessor says the property is worth for tax purposes. Market value is what someone would actually pay to buy it. Assessed value is usually lower than market value and is used only to calculate property taxes. Market value changes constantly based on what buyers are willing to pay; assessed value is updated once a year by the assessor.
How often does the assessed value change?
Most counties reassess properties once a year, usually in the spring or fall. Some states reassess every few years. The assessor may adjust the value based on changes to the property, changes in the neighborhood, or changes in the overall real estate market. You will receive a notice in the mail if your assessed value changes significantly.
Can I dispute my property tax assessment?
Yes. If you believe the assessed value is too high, you can file a formal appeal with your county assessor's office. The process and important date vary by state and county, but you typically have 30 to 60 days after receiving your assessment notice to file. Contact your assessor's office for the specific steps and important date in your area.
Where do property taxes go?
Property taxes fund local services such as schools, fire departments, police departments, libraries, and road maintenance. The tax bill is divided among these different services based on the tax rates set by each district. Your county assessor's office can show you how much of your tax bill goes to each service.