Resources → Homeowner Tips  → Homeownership & Expenses

What Should I Know About Property Taxes as a Homeowner?

Property taxes are one of the ongoing expenses that come with owning a home. Whether you pay them directly or they're included as part of your mortgage payment, they're an important part of the overall cost of homeownership.

The amount can vary from one property to another based on several factors, including where the property is located. You don't need to become a property-tax expert, but it helps to understand what to keep an eye on, where to find your information, and who to contact when you have questions.

Your Property Tax Bill Can Change

Property taxes aren't necessarily a fixed expense from year to year.

Changes involving the property's value, applicable tax rates, exemptions, ownership, or other factors may affect the amount due.

Because each property and taxing jurisdiction can be different, another homeowner's tax bill isn't necessarily a good indication of what yours should be. Alabama notes that county millage rates vary by taxing jurisdiction.

If you have questions about how your particular tax amount was determined, your county Revenue Commissioner's office is the appropriate place to get property-specific information.

Know Where to Find Your Property Information

In Alabama, most real property is assessed locally at the county level.

For homeowners in our area, that means contacting the:

Baldwin County Revenue Commission for property in Baldwin County

or

Mobile County Revenue Commission for property in Mobile County.

Both counties provide resources for homeowners to look up property and tax information. For questions about an individual property, assessment, exemption, or tax bill, the county office can provide the official information.

Pay Attention to Important Dates

In both Baldwin and Mobile Counties, property taxes are due October 1 and become delinquent after December 31.

If you pay your taxes directly, those are important dates to have on your homeowner calendar.

If your taxes are handled through your mortgage escrow account, it's still a good idea to understand when they're due and periodically confirm that the payment was made.

Don't Automatically Ignore Property-Tax Mail Because You Have Escrow

Many homeowners have property taxes included in their monthly mortgage payment. Their mortgage servicer collects money through an escrow account and uses it to pay property taxes when they're due.

That can make the process fairly hands-off, but the property still belongs to you.

For example, Baldwin County specifically reminds property owners whose taxes are paid through a mortgage company that the owner is responsible for confirming payment. Mobile County likewise states that property owners are responsible for making sure their property tax is paid.

So if you receive property-tax correspondence, don't automatically throw it away because you have escrow. Review it and make sure everything appears to be handled properly.

Keep Your Property Information Current

Homeowners should pay attention to the information associated with their property and notify the appropriate county office when something needs to be updated.

This is particularly important after purchasing a property or changing a mailing address.

If you notice information that appears incorrect, contact your county Revenue Commissioner's office rather than trying to determine on your own how the change might affect your taxes.

Homestead Exemptions May Affect Property Taxes

Homeowners who use a property as their primary residence may qualify for a homestead exemption, and there may be additional exemptions available in certain circumstances.

For more information, see our guide What Is Alabama’s Homestead Exemption? 

For questions about eligibility or current requirements for your specific property, contact the Revenue Commissioner's office in the county where your property is located.

Review Your Property-Tax Information Each Year

When your annual property-tax information becomes available, take a few minutes to review it rather than simply filing it away.

Check that the property information and mailing address appear correct, look for anything that seems unexpectedly different from the previous year, and confirm that the taxes are paid by the deadline.

If something doesn't look right, contact the Revenue Commissioner's office in the county where the property is located for clarification. Alabama directs property owners to their county tax office for questions about a particular parcel or tax account.

A Change in Ownership Can Make Tax Information Look Different

After buying a home, you may notice that property records or a tax bill don't immediately look the way you expected.

Because Alabama property taxes operate on an annual tax cycle, ownership information on tax records may not update immediately following a sale. Both Baldwin and Mobile County provide guidance for new property owners about assessment and ownership changes.

If you've recently purchased a home and have questions about how the property is currently recorded, contact the county Revenue Commissioner's office to verify the information.

Don't Rely on the Previous Owner's Tax Bill to Predict Yours

When you're buying a home, it's natural to look at what the current owner has been paying in property taxes.

That number can be helpful background information, but it isn't a guarantee of what you will pay as the new owner.

Ownership, exemptions, property valuation, and the taxing jurisdiction can all matter. Alabama also notes that county millage varies by taxing jurisdiction.

For a property-specific estimate or questions about how taxes may change after a purchase, the county Revenue Commissioner's office is the appropriate source.

If You Don't Receive a Tax Notice, Check Anyway

Not receiving something in the mail doesn't necessarily mean there are no taxes due.

Mobile County, for example, describes its mailed tax notice as a courtesy and states that property owners remain responsible for making sure their property taxes are paid. Baldwin County likewise states that property taxes are the property owner's responsibility and encourages owners to keep their mailing address current.

That's another reason it's a good idea to check your property-tax status each year instead of relying solely on the mail.

Property Tax Homeowner Checklist

☐ Know which county Revenue Commissioner's office handles your property
☐ Keep your mailing address current
☐ Review your property information periodically
☐ Remember that property taxes are due October 1 in Alabama
☐ Know that taxes become delinquent after December 31
☐ If you have escrow, confirm that your mortgage servicer paid the taxes
☐ Don't ignore property-tax correspondence
☐ Don't assume a previous owner's tax amount will be your future tax amount
☐ Check whether you may qualify for a homestead or other exemption
☐ Contact the county Revenue Commissioner's office with property-specific questions

Both Baldwin and Mobile County state that property taxes are due October 1 and become delinquent after December 31.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are my property taxes included in my mortgage payment?
They may be. If your loan has an escrow account, your mortgage servicer may collect money each month toward property taxes and pay the bill when it's due. Check your mortgage statement or contact your servicer if you're unsure.

If my mortgage company pays my taxes, do I need to do anything?
It's still a good idea to confirm that the payment was made. Baldwin County specifically states that property owners whose taxes are paid through a mortgage company are responsible for confirming payment.

When are Alabama property taxes due?
For Baldwin and Mobile County homeowners, property taxes are due October 1 and become delinquent after December 31.

Why might my property taxes be different from my neighbor's?
Properties may differ in value, exemptions, classification, and taxing jurisdiction. Even seemingly similar homes shouldn't automatically be expected to have identical tax bills.

Will my property taxes be the same as what the seller was paying?
Not necessarily. The seller's current tax bill can provide background information, but it shouldn't be treated as a guarantee of your future tax bill.

Who should I call if I think something on my property-tax record is wrong?
Contact the Revenue Commissioner's office for the county where the property is located. Alabama directs property owners to their county tax office for parcel-specific and tax-account information.

Related Homeowner Guides

How Much Should I Budget for Home Maintenance and Repairs? 

What Is Alabama’s Homestead Exemption? 

How Often Should I Review My Homeowners Insurance? 

Have Questions?

Homeownership comes with questions long after closing day, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own.

Whether you have a question about maintaining your home, planning an improvement, or protecting your investment, we're always happy to be a resource.

Dana & John Martin – Team Martin
Waters Edge Realty
318-504-9925 | 504-450-2714
ALGulfCoastAgents@gmail.com