Property Tax Lawyers in Durham

Durham, North Carolina laws require that most owners of real property pay taxes on its value. "Real property" refers to building and land, and objects (like natural resources) that are permanently affixed to the land.

The property tax in Durham, North Carolina is simply a percentage of a piece of property's appraised value, paid to the state and/or local government on a periodic - normally annual - basis.

Federal authorities do not collect a property tax. Only state and local governments collect property taxes, as a general matter.

How Property Tax is Calculated in Durham, North Carolina

Most often, property taxes in Durham, North Carolina are simply a set percentage of the property's value. Across the country, state authorities impose a wide range of different tax rates. The highest rates in the country are in the area of 5% of the property's value, and the lowest are less than 1%.

To levy this tax, Durham, North Carolina tax authorities must first figure out how much a house or piece of land is worth.

As you probably know, value is not always objective. For instance, the owners of family heirlooms normally place far more value on them than their objective monetary value. So tax officials have to be careful to only use objective criteria in valuing property for tax purposes.

With that in mind, the land appraisers in Durham, North Carolina look at various factors, including the state of the local real estate market, the square footage of the house, and the permissible use (zoning) of the land.

How A Durham, North Carolina Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

The property tax system in Durham, North Carolina can get pretty convoluted. There are many reasons why you might run into a legal dispute regarding your property tax. For example, you may believe that the appraised value of your property was too high, increasing your tax burden unjustly. Or, the state might accuse you of failing to pay your property tax.

If you are immersed in a property tax dispute with the tax authorities of Durham, North Carolina, you should seek the help of a Durham, North Carolina tax attorney. Your attorney can help you prevent a small tax problem from turning into something much bigger and more expensive than it needs to be.