The Value On Your Tax Bill
G.S. 105-283 — true value in money, a reappraisal at least every eighth year, and an appeal to the county board, then the Property Tax Commission
In North Carolina, all property, real and personal, is appraised as far as practicable at its true value in money. The statute defines true value as market value: the price at which the property would change hands between a willing and financially able buyer and a willing seller, neither under any compulsion to buy or sell, and both with reasonable knowledge of all the uses the property is adapted to and capable of.
Every eighth year. Each county reappraises all real property as of January 1 of its scheduled year and every eighth year after that, unless it advances the date. A county with a population of 75,000 or more has to advance it when its sales assessment ratio falls outside the range the section sets.
Between reappraisals. In a year with no general reappraisal, property keeps the value assigned when it was last appraised unless the assessor changes it for a reason the section lists, such as a clerical or mathematical error, a misapplied schedule, or a physical change to the land or its improvements. The assessor may not change it for normal physical depreciation, or for inflation, deflation or other economic changes affecting the county in general.
The county board of equalization and review. On request, the board hears any taxpayer who owns or controls property taxable in the county about the listing or appraisal of that property. The request is made in writing or by personal appearance before the board adjourns. After the hearing, the board orders the appraisal reduced, increased or confirmed, and notifies the appellant by mail not later than 30 days after it adjourns.
Then the Property Tax Commission. A notice of appeal from a decision of the board of equalization and review is filed with the Property Tax Commission within 30 days after the date the board mailed notice of its decision to the property owner.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAn appeal to the county board can only lower the value | What the law actually doesThe board may reduce, increase or confirm the appraisal |
| The assumptionThe value moves with the market every year | What the law actually doesBetween reappraisals, inflation and general economic change are not reasons to change it |
Exclusions, deferrals and exemptions that change what is owed, and how a hearing before the Property Tax Commission runs, are not on this page. Whether a particular appraisal can be changed is a question for a licensed North Carolina attorney or appraiser.
Sources for this section (5)
- G.S. 105-283 — Uniform appraisal standards
- G.S. 105-286 — Time for general reappraisal of real property
- G.S. 105-287 — Changing appraised value of real property in years in which general reappraisal is not made
- G.S. 105-322 — County board of equalization and review
- G.S. 105-290 — Appeals to Property Tax Commission
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.