Think your new Wake County property tax values are too high? Here’s how you can appeal.

Anna Johnson
Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com

If you’ve got sticker shock after seeing your new Wake County property tax values, there are ways you can challenge the figures.

Residential properties rose an average of 53% in tax value from the county’s last revaluation in 2020. Commercial properties rose 45%.

Given the big jumps, the county expects anywhere from 20,000 to 42,000 parcel appeals. There were 17,000 appeals four years ago.

How does the appeals process work?

There are two ways to appeal if you think your new property tax value is too high (or too low).

Informal Appeal: You can submit an informal appeal through March 1 that involves meeting with county tax staff. If you’re satisfied with the outcome, you’re done. You don’t need to take any other action.

Informal appeals can be submitted by mail or online, at services.wake.gov/taxportal and clicking on “appeal your appraised value.” You will need your real estate ID and access code that appear on the assessed value notice you got in the mail. You can contact the tax administration to send a duplicate if you misplaced it.

The mailing address is:

Wake County Tax Administration

Attention: 2024 Real Estate Revaluation

PO Box 2331

Raleigh, NC 27602

Formal Appeal: Still not satisfied? You can submit a formal appeal March 2 though May 15 to the Wake County Board of Equalization and Review. You do not have to file an informal appeal before a formal appeal. Formal appeals can be submitted by mail or online at services.wake.gov/taxportal.

Once you’ve submitted a formal appeal, you will be mailed a letter notifying you of your hearing date. The hearing will take place at the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh. There is no charge for parking.

When does the appeals process run?

Here are the dates you need to know:

  • March 1 is the deadline for property owners to file an informal appeal

  • May 15 is the deadline for property owners to file a formal appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review

  • July 1 is the deadline by which Wake County and its municipalities must pass a budget with a new property tax rate.

Have a question?

Contact the Wake County Tax Administration by calling 919-857-3800 or emailing revaluation@wake.gov.

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