Tax Assessor

The Tax Assessor's primary responsibility is to list, assess and appraise all taxable real and personal property each year and furnish tax base figures to the County, Municipalities, and Fire Departments for budget purposes. It is the Assessor’s responsibility to assure that all properties are appraised fairly and equitably. 

A large portion of Beaufort County's general fund comes from property taxes generated through the assessment of real estate, personal property, and motor vehicles. Property owners each pay a share of the cost of County services by paying taxes proportional to the value of their property. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of land, buildings, and personal property.

What The Beaufort County Assessor's Office Does

• Appraises real estate, mobile homes, motor vehicles, boats, motors, jet skis, rental residential personal property, and business personal property for ad valorem property taxes purposes
• Calculates and creates all real and personal property taxes for all taxing jurisdictions within Beaufort County
• Receives and processes applications for tax exemptions, exclusions, and deferments
• Processes motor vehicle tax refunds/prorations
• Provides tax information to the public and legal professionals

What The Beaufort County Assessor's Office Does Not Do

• Set property tax rates. Tax rates are set by the Board of County Commissioners each year.
• Collect tax payments for real property, personal property, and motor vehicles. Remove blocks from Motor Vehicles or handle property liens/ garnishments Contact the Beaufort County Tax Collector
• Determine how taxes are used
• Have available State and Federal income tax forms 
• Handle maintenance of streets, roads, highways, or ditches; Contact NC Dept. of Transportation
• Issue license stickers for motor vehicles: Contact: DMV online services