CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (March 27, 2025) – Carteret County’s Tax Administration office has completed a state-mandated property reappraisal, also known as revaluation, and has mailed notices of the new assessed value to all Carteret County property owners. Based on state law, the County is required to reappraise real property at least every eight years. This process ensures tax values align with current market conditions and establishes new property values as of January 1, 2025, for all residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial properties. This essential effort helps maintain a fair and equitable property tax system, reflecting the evolving real estate market across the County. Carteret County’s last reappraisal was completed in 2020.

“Our tax team has dedicated several years of diligent work to this reappraisal process, ensuring that each property’s assessed value aligns with its fair market value,” said Sheila Garner, interim Tax Assessor. “This process establishes fairness and transparency across the County’s tax base, using current real estate market data.”

State-certified appraisers examined all properties in the county, verifying property characteristics, analyzing comparable sales, and considering any improvements or changes. These factors, combined with current market trends, were used to determine the new assessed values. The updated values reflect the estimated market value of properties as of Jan. 1, 2025, and will serve as the basis for property tax calculations starting in 2025 and continuing until the next reappraisal.

The County projects a total tax base increase of approximately 80-90%, reflecting sales activity in the real estate market since the last reappraisal. However, this increase varies, with some properties seeing lower or higher adjustments.

It is important to note that an 80-90% increase in property value does not equate to an 80-90% increase in property taxes. Although the valuations are a factor in tax calculations, the actual tax bills are determined separately in June, when the Board of Commissioners and municipal elected officials establish jurisdictional tax rates, with the tax bills being mailed in August 2025.

All property owners will receive a notice in the mail with their updated assessed value. Owners can also access their property values online. Those who agree with the new value do not need to take further action. However, property owners who wish to appeal their assessed value must file an appeal within 30 days of receiving the notice. The final deadline to appeal is Friday, May 2, 2025, by 5 p.m.

Carteret County offers several property tax relief options to eligible residents. These include the Elderly or Disabled Exclusion, Disabled Veteran Exclusion, and Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment Program. Applications for these programs are available online or can be requested by calling the Tax Administration office at (252) 728-8485. The deadline to apply for these programs is June 1, 2025.

For more information or updates, visit the County’s Reappraisal webpage at www.CarteretCountyNC.gov and visit the 'Tax Help' link, or contact the Tax Administration office.

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