Property tax bills can sometimes catch homeowners off guard. The amount you owe may change from year to year based on new assessments or updated rates. This could leave you scrambling to cover a bill you didn’t expect.
There are some simple ways to estimate what you might owe. Keep in mind that property tax rules vary widely by state, county, and city. The steps below offer general guidance, but your local rules may be different.
1. Find Your Assessed Value
Your assessed value is the dollar amount your local government assigns to your property for tax purposes. This number is often different from fair market value, which is what your home might sell for on the open market. Some areas only tax a portion of your home’s market value. This is called an “assessment ratio.” For example, if your home is worth $300,000 and your area uses a 50% ratio, your assessed value could be $150,000. But not all areas use this method.
Knowing your assessed value is the first step in estimating your property tax. To find yours, try searching your county assessor’s website using your address or parcel number. You could also call your local tax office. They could tell you your current assessed value and whether your area uses a ratio.
2. Look Up Your Tax Rate
Your tax rate tells you how much you owe for each dollar of assessed value. In some areas of the country, this is called a “millage rate.” In many places, several groups set their own rates, like your county, city, and school district. The rates are then added together to create one total rate. This total might be shown as a percentage or shown in “mills.” One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value .
Tax rates vary widely by location. To find yours before your bill arrives, check your county treasurer’s website or call your local tax office.
3. Apply a Simple Formula
Once you have your assessed value and tax rate, you can estimate your property tax. If your rate is shown as a percentage, turn it into a decimal and multiply. For example, 2% becomes 0.02, so you’d multiply your assessed value by 0.02.
If your rate is shown in mills, divide your assessed value by 1,000, then multiply by the mill rate.
Here’s an example. Say your assessed value is $200,000 and your mill rate is 25. First, divide $200,000 by 1,000, which gives you $200. Then multiply $200 by 25, which gives you $5,000. In this case, your estimated annual property tax would be about $5,000.
Your actual bill’s calculation could be higher or lower based on local factors or differing methods for calculating the tax.
4. Check for Possible Exemptions
Some locations offer exemptions that lower your tax bill by reducing the portion of your home’s value that gets taxed. Common exemptions could include homestead exemptions for primary homes, as well as exemptions for veterans, seniors, or people with disabilities. These programs vary by location. These exemptions are not available everywhere, and the amounts can differ.
For example, if you qualify for a $50,000 exemption on a home assessed at $200,000, you might only pay taxes on $150,000. Check with your local assessor’s office to find out what exemptions might be available in your area and how to apply.
5. Review Your Numbers Yearly
Your property tax could change every year. Assessed values and tax rates go up and down based on local home prices, improvements you make to your home, or local budget decisions. For example, if your assessed value rises from $200,000 to $220,000 with the same tax rate, your tax bill would likely be higher. Checking these numbers once a year could help you plan ahead and avoid surprises.
A Note About Tax Rules
Property tax laws vary widely across states, counties, and cities. The information above is meant to give you a general idea of how property taxes often work. Your local rules may be different. For questions about your specific situation, consider reaching out to your local tax office or a tax professional.
If you’re facing a larger-than-expected bill, a personal loan might help or free up cash for other home projects. Check your loan offers online, contact us at 844.338.2080, or visit a branch location to talk through options that might work for your situation.
