Where to look for your property tax records
Your property tax information lives in your county or city assessor's office, not with your mortgage lender or insurance company. The assessor is the government body that determines what your property is worth for tax purposes and sends you a bill. You can find your records in three ways: visit the assessor's office in person, call them directly, or search their online database from your home.
Most counties now post property records online for free. Search your county name plus "assessor" or "property appraiser" to find the right website. You will need your address or parcel number to search. Some counties also let you search by owner name, though results are slower that way. The online database usually shows your assessed value, tax rate, and what the county thinks your land and buildings are worth separately.
If you cannot find an online database or need help reading the records, call your county assessor's office directly. They can mail you a copy of your assessment or read the key numbers over the phone. The call is free. Have your address and parcel number ready — you can find the parcel number on your property tax bill, deed, or the online database.
Key Takeaways
- Your county or city assessor's office holds all property tax records, and most counties now post them free online.
- Search your county assessor's website using your address or parcel number to see your assessed value and tax rate.
- If you cannot find records online, call the assessor's office directly — they will mail or read information to you at no cost.
- Your property tax bill itself shows your assessed value, tax rate, and the total amount due, so check that first if you have one.
- Parcel numbers appear on your tax bill, property deed, or the assessor's online database and make searching faster.
What information you will see in the records
When you pull up your property record, you will see several numbers. The assessed value is what the county thinks your property is worth — this is not the same as what you paid for it or what it would sell for today. The tax rate (also called the millage rate) is the percentage the county applies to that value to calculate your bill. Multiply the assessed value by the tax rate to get your annual property tax.
You will also see the land value and building value listed separately. The county assesses these differently — land is usually based on location and size, while buildings are based on age, condition, and square footage. Some records show exemptions you may have, such as a homestead exemption that lowers your assessed value if the property is your primary residence. Check whether exemptions are already applied to the number shown.
The record may also list recent sales of nearby properties, which the assessor uses to estimate your home's market value. This is background information the assessor uses to justify the assessed value, but it is not your actual tax bill. Your actual bill comes separately, usually once or twice a year depending on your county.
How to get your property tax bill
Your property tax bill is a separate document from the assessment record. The bill shows exactly how much you owe, when it is due, and where to send payment. If you own the property outright, the bill comes to you. If you have a mortgage, your lender may pay the tax from an escrow account and include it in your monthly payment — in that case, you will not receive a bill directly, but you can still request one from the assessor.
To get a copy of your bill, search your county tax collector's or treasurer's website. Many counties let you view and print bills online. If you cannot find it online, call the tax collector's office and ask them to mail it to you. Have your address and parcel number ready. Some counties charge a small fee to mail a duplicate bill, but viewing it online is always free.
Your bill will show the assessed value, the tax rate, any exemptions applied, and the final amount due. It will also show the due date and payment address. If you are behind on payments, the bill may show penalties and interest added to the original amount.
Using online assessor databases
Most county assessor websites work the same way. Go to the assessor's site, click "Search Records" or "Property Search," and enter your address. Within seconds, you will see a record with your assessed value, tax rate, and sometimes a photo of your house. Some databases also show the year built, square footage, number of bedrooms, and recent sales history of your property.
The record is usually free to view and print. You do not need to create an account or pay anything. Some counties let you set up a free alert so you get notified if your assessment changes. This is useful if you think the county overvalued your property and plan to appeal.
If the online database is down or you cannot find your property, try searching by parcel number instead of address. Parcel numbers are more precise and often work when addresses do not. If that fails, call the assessor's office — they can look it up for you over the phone or email you the information.
What to do if you cannot find your records
If your county does not have an online database, or if you search and find nothing, start by calling the assessor's office directly. Explain that you are looking for your property tax information and give them your address. They will either read the information to you on the phone, mail you a copy, or direct you to a physical office where you can view records in person.
If you recently bought the property, the records may not be updated yet — assessments can lag behind sales by several months. Ask the assessor when they expect to update your record. If you just moved and are not sure which county to contact, search your property address on Google Maps and note the county name, then search that county's assessor website.
If you have a mortgage, your lender's annual escrow statement will also show your property tax amount. This is not the same as the full assessment record, but it confirms what you owe and can help you find the right county office if you are unsure where to look.
Understanding assessed value versus market value
The assessed value on your record is almost always lower than what your house would actually sell for. The county uses assessed value only to calculate your tax bill — it is not an appraisal or a market estimate. Assessed values are updated on a schedule that varies by county, sometimes every year and sometimes every three to five years. This means your assessed value can lag behind actual property values in a rising market.
If you think your assessed value is too high, you can file an appeal with the assessor's office. The process and deadline vary by county, but most allow appeals once a year. You will need to show evidence that your property is worth less than the assessed value — comparable sales of nearby homes, a recent appraisal, or photos of damage or poor condition. The appeal is free to file, though some counties charge a small fee if you hire someone to represent you.
Do not confuse assessed value with your home's actual worth. A real estate agent's estimate, a bank appraisal, or a recent sale price are all different from the assessed value. The assessed value is simply the number the county uses to calculate your tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my parcel number?
Your parcel number appears on your property tax bill, your property deed, and the county assessor's online database. If you have a recent tax bill, look for a line labeled "Parcel Number," "Property ID," or "Account Number." If you do not have a bill, search your address on the assessor's website and the parcel number will appear in the results.
Can I see someone else's property tax information?
Yes. Property tax records are public documents. You can search any address in your county's assessor database and see the assessed value, tax rate, and owner name. This is how real estate investors research neighborhoods and how neighbors sometimes compare their assessments.
How often does the assessor update property values?
It depends on your county. Some update every year, others every three to five years. Check your county assessor's website or call them to find out the schedule. If you recently bought your property, the assessed value may not reflect the sale price for several months.
What if my property tax bill looks wrong?
First, check that the address and parcel number match your property. Then compare the assessed value and tax rate to the previous year's bill — large jumps may signal an error or a reassessment. Call the tax collector's office to ask why the amount changed. If you believe the assessed value itself is wrong, file an appeal with the assessor's office within the deadline your county sets.
Do I need to pay property tax if I rent?
No. The property owner pays property tax, not the tenant. If you rent, your landlord receives the tax bill. Property tax is sometimes included in your rent calculation, but you do not pay it directly to the county.