CARTERET COUNTY
TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE
N O R T H C A R O L I N A
THE ASSESSOR DUTIES
DUTIES OF THE COUNTY ASSESSOR:
The County Assessor is the official responsible for
listing and assessing all Real Estate and personal property
for Ad Valorem (property tax laws) taxation. In the
words of the North Carolina Machinery Act, (property
tax laws) this official's duty is to "have general
charge of the listing, appraisal, and assessment of
all property in the county in accordance with the provisions
of law." To this end, the statute provides that
the assessor "shall have and may exercise all powers
reasonably necessary in the performance of his duties
not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this
State."
WHAT THE ASSESSOR DOES:
The Assessor evaluates all property subject to taxation.
The Assessor is required by North Carolina law to list,
appraise and assess all property within the county at
100%of market value. In addition to the over 55,000
parcels of real property (land, homes, commercial buildings),
the Assessor must value business personal property of
approximately 7,000 businesses, ranging from multi-million
dollar enterprises to one person operations, there are
over 10,000 manufactured homes, over 77 aircraft and
over 15,000 watercraft and any other personal property
which is taxable. There is over 6,500 motor vehicles
which are billed monthly. The Assessor Office creates
over 150,000 tax notices annually.
THE ASSESSOR DOES NOT:
The Assessor does not make the laws, which affect property
owners. The North Carolina Legislature makes the tax
laws. The Carteret County Board of Commissioners, and
the governing bodies of the cities determine their budgetary
needs and set their own tax rates to meet that budget
obligation.
The Assessor determines the property worth based on
market value.
The Assessor does not determine taxes.
WHAT IS TAXABLE VALUE:
In North Carolina Taxable value is Market value. The
Assessor must use the methods prescribed by North Carolina
General Statute. 105.283 Uniform Appraisal Standards.
….."All property, real and personal, shall
as far as practicable be appraised or value in money.
When used in this Subchapter, the words "true value"
shall be interpreted as meaning market value, that is,
the price estimated in terms of money at which property
would change hands between a willing and financially
able buyer and a willing seller, neither being under
any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable
knowledge of all the uses to which the property is adapted
and for which it is capable of being used. For the purposes
of this section, the acquisition of an interest in land
by an entity having power of eminent domain with respect
to the interest acquired shall not be considered competent
evidence of the true value in money of comparable land."…
HOW DOES THE ASSESSOR DETERMINE TAXABLE
VALUE?
Property value changes over time and must be adjusted
periodically to maintain balance and equity. To ensure
that balance and equity are maintained, the State and
North Carolina requires real property be reappraised
on a cycle that maintains and acceptable Sales Ratio,
(10% or less), ( the percentage of the difference between
the average sales price and its assessed value) and
that the cycle does not exceed eight years.
Real Estate values shall reflect the market value of
properties at the time of the last reappraisal. Real
property values usually increase over time: however,
not all properties increase at the same rate and even
some property values may decrease in value. Due to these
changes occurring, a reappraisal process is necessary
to reflect market value and maintain equity and balance.
Because there is such a volatile real estate market,
reappraisal for Carteret County became effective on
January 1, 2001.
HOW ARE TAXES CALCULATED?
In Carteret County, there are currently 31 tax districts,
including General County. The tax rates for these districts
are based on the amount of monies budgeted to them for
the necessary maintenance and improvements of their
facilities and services. The tax monies collected for
the districts pay for schools, police and fire protection,
along with the other services that a taxpayer demands
and desires from your local government. These tax rates
vary depending on the type of services provided to any
designated area.
To reach the Carteret County Tax Office, you may do
so by following:
Carteret County Assessor's Office
302 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, N.C. 28516
Telephone: 252-728-8469
Fax: 252-728-8588
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