CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (August 12, 2024) – Carteret County residents can expect municipal and county property tax bills to arrive in their mailboxes soon, with the option to make payments online.
Tax bills are sent to the current owner as listed on county tax records. The amount due is based on the 2024 assessed value of the property and tax rates set by county and municipal officials in June. This year, about 79,000 tax bills will be mailed in mid-August, with real property and personal property appearing on separate bills.
Starting in late August, residents can also access their bills electronically by visiting the Carteret County Tax Administration website at carteretcountync.gov/154/Tax-Office. Taxpayers have a four-month period to pay before penalties apply. Payments not paid in full by January 6, 2025, are considered delinquent. Unpaid property taxes may result in collection actions such as bank attachment, wage garnishment, income tax refund attachment, personal property levy, and foreclosure.
For those unable to pay in full at once, short-term payment plans are available. Taxpayers can make four monthly payments from September to December using the enclosed payment coupons, ensuring taxes are paid before delinquency. The deadline to establish a payment plan is January 6, 2025.
Consolidated Bills
Residents in Beaufort, Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Peletier will only receive county bills that include both county and municipal taxes. The partnership with these towns creates a single point of contact for property tax questions and simplifies the collection process. Morehead City is participating in the consolidated billing program for the first time this year.
Solid Waste Availability Fee
The Carteret County Board of Commissioners eliminated a $157 green box fee, previously applied solely to properties outside municipalities without private trash collection. This fee has been replaced by a $98 solid waste availability fee, charged to all county residents owning residential or improved commercial properties subject to property taxes. The change, approved through a recent amendment to Chapter 14 of the Carteret County Code of Ordinances, aims to ensure that everyone benefiting from the availability of solid waste facilities contributes to solid waste management efforts and protects public health and the environment.
Residents can dispose of various household materials, including furniture, appliances, construction debris, and yard waste, at any of the 12 county convenience sites. Additionally, three designated sites – Hibbs Road (Newport), Otway, and West Firetower Road/Hwy 58 (Swansboro) – accept mixed recyclables. A complete list of accepted materials and site locations can be found at carteretcountync.gov/2265/Solid-Waste-Division. With the removal of the green box fee and the implementation of a more equitable fee structure for all county residents, there will no longer be a waiver process.
Payment Options
- Online: Visit carteretcountytax.com/taxes to pay by credit card, debit card, eCheck, or PayPal.
- Phone: Call 1-888-544-9433 for credit card payments.
- Mail: Send a check or money order with the payment stub using the return envelope provided. Make checks payable to "County of Carteret."
- In Person: Visit the Tax Administration Office located at the Carteret County Government Administration Building, 302 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC, or the Western Office located at 701 Cedar Point Blvd., Cedar Point, NC, weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Cash, credit card, debit card, money order, or check payments are accepted. A convenience fee applies to credit and debit card transactions.
For questions or to make payment arrangements, please contact the Tax Administrator's Office at (252) 728-8485 or visit carteretcountync.gov/154/Tax-Office.
###