Property Tax Lawyers in Durham County

Durham County, 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 County, 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 - typically 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 County, North Carolina

Most often, property taxes in Durham County, 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 County, 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 typically 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 County, 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 County, North Carolina Property Tax Attorney Can Help.

Durham County, North Carolina's property tax system is somewhat intricate. Legal disputes arising from property taxes can arise in a number of ways. For instance, the state might accuse a homeowner of failing to pay their property taxes, when they truly have. Conversely, a homeowner might believe that the value of their property was appraised inaccurately, resulting in a higher tax bill.

If you run into any issue with your Durham County, North Carolina property taxes, failing to handle it properly can result in anything from unnecessary inconvenience to considerable fines and tax penalties. However, with the help of a Durham County, North Carolina tax attorney, your chances of running into a property tax problem can be minimized.