Harrison County Property Tax Appeal, Mississippi

Travis BunnTravis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Harrison County is located on Mississippi's Gulf Coast with dual county seats in Gulfport and Biloxi. As of the 2020 census, the population was 208,621, making it the second-most populous county in Mississippi. Major cities include Gulfport, Biloxi, D'Iberville, Long Beach, and Pass Christian. The median home value in Harrison County is approximately $212,200 with an effective property tax rate of 0.65%, resulting in a median annual tax bill of around $1,370. This effective rate is 29% lower than the national average of 0.92%, making Harrison County's property tax burden relatively moderate compared to the national median of $2,400.

Notable cities: Gulfport, Biloxi, D'Iberville, Long Beach, Pass Christian

Median Home

$212,200

Tax Rate

0.65%

Annual Tax

$1,370

Population

208,621

On the typical Harrison County home, valued near $212,200 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.65%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying year after year until you appeal it. Here is how to find out if yours qualifies.

2026 Appeal Deadline: August 1, 2026

In Mississippi, property assessment rolls open after the first Monday in July, and formal written appeals to the Board of Supervisors must be filed by August 1. Property owners should check public records notices in local newspapers or call the Board of Supervisors office after the first Monday in July at 228-865-4001 for specific dates when rolls are open for public inspection.

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Southern Mississippi home among mature trees. Harrison County appeal guide.

How Harrison County Assesses Property

10%of market value

Assessed by: Harrison County Tax Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: April-May

In Mississippi, owner-occupied residential properties are assessed at 10% of their true market value. Harrison County's Tax Assessor appraises properties annually at fair market value, then applies the 10% assessment ratio to calculate assessed value. For example: If your home's market value is $212,200 (Harrison County's median), at Mississippi's 10% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $21,220, resulting in approximately $1,370 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.65%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Supervisors. After filing your appeal, the Board of Supervisors will review your case and may schedule a hearing where you present evidence supporting your claim that the property is overassessed. The board members will review comparable sales data, property condition documentation, and any assessment errors before making a determination.

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Step 1: Request an informal review with the Tax Assessor's office anytime you disagree with your property value. Call, write, or visit the office and fill out a Request For Review form. The assessor will verify all information and review any new evidence you provide.

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Step 2: If you disagree with the assessor's informal opinion of value, file a formal written appeal to the Board of Supervisors. This must be done while the assessment rolls are open for public inspection, typically during July after the first Monday of the month.

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Step 3: Gather supporting evidence including comparable sales data showing 3-5 similar properties that sold for less than your assessed value, photos documenting property condition issues, repair estimates for any defects, and documentation of assessment errors such as incorrect square footage or features.

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Step 4: Submit your Property Tax Protest Form or written appeal letter to the Board of Supervisors by August 1, 2026. Include your parcel number, property address, the assessed value you're appealing, your opinion of correct value, and all supporting documentation.

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Step 5: Attend the Board of Supervisors hearing if scheduled. You'll typically have 5-15 minutes to present your case. Present your evidence professionally, stick to facts about market value, and be prepared to answer questions.

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Step 6: If denied by the Board of Supervisors, appeal to Circuit Court within 10 days of the Board meeting adjournment, or to the Mississippi Board of Tax Appeals within 30 days for certain appeals.

Required form: Property Tax Protest Form (available from Tax Assessor's office) or written letter of disagreement

Filing Methods

in-person:Harrison County Tax Assessor's Office, P.O. Box 462, Gulfport, MS 39502 (First Judicial District: 1801 23rd Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501)
mail:Mail to: Harrison County Tax Assessor, P.O. Box 462, Gulfport, MS 39502
phone:Call 228-865-4043 to request appeal form and filing instructions

Evidence to Bring

Comparable sales data (3-5 similar properties)Recent independent appraisalPhotos of property condition issuesRepair estimates for defectsDocumentation of assessment errors (incorrect square footage, features, lot size)Market analysis showing declining values in your area

Harrison County Assessor Contact

Harrison County Tax Assessor's Office

Phone: 228-865-4043

Address: P.O. Box 462, Gulfport, MS 39502 (First Judicial District: 1801 23rd Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501; Second Judicial District: 730 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39530)

Website: https://harrisoncountyms.gov/goverment/tax_assessor/index.php

Online Portal: https://harrisonms.geopowered.com/propertysearch/

Tax Exemptions in Harrison County

Regular Homestead Exemption

Up to $300 credit (limited to first $7,500 of assessed value)

Provides a graduated tax credit for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Property owners who use the property as their permanent primary residence and meet income tax compliance requirementsDeadline: January 1 - April 1 (for first-time applicants)

Additional Homestead Exemption (Age 65+ or Disabled)

Total exemption on first $7,500 of assessed value

Total exemption from ad valorem taxes for seniors and disabled homeowners

Eligibility: Homeowners age 65 or older by January 1, or those classified as totally disabled under federal law or approved retirement planDeadline: January 1 - April 1 (for first-time applicants)

100% Disabled Veteran Exemption

Total exemption from all ad valorem taxes on homestead property (no value limit)

Complete property tax exemption for service-connected totally disabled veterans

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans with 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA, and their unmarried surviving spouses. Must provide VA Summary of Benefits letter.Deadline: January 1 - April 1 (for first-time applicants)

Harrison County Appeal Packet · $49

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Harrison County for 2026?
The deadline to file a formal property tax appeal with the Harrison County Board of Supervisors is August 1, 2026. Assessment rolls typically open for public inspection after the first Monday in July, giving property owners potentially less than 30 days to review their assessments and prepare appeals. You should check public notices in local newspapers or call the Board of Supervisors office at 228-865-4001 after the first Monday in July for specific dates. Missing this deadline means you'll have to wait another full year to appeal and will pay the higher tax amount in the meantime.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Harrison County?
To file a property tax appeal in Harrison County, first request an informal review by calling the Tax Assessor's office at 228-865-4043 or visiting in person to fill out a Request For Review form. If the informal review doesn't resolve your concern, file a formal written appeal to the Board of Supervisors while the rolls are open for public inspection in July. You can obtain the Property Tax Protest Form from the assessor's office or submit a written letter of disagreement. Mail your appeal to Harrison County Tax Assessor, P.O. Box 462, Gulfport, MS 39502, or deliver it in person to the First Judicial District office at 1801 23rd Ave., Gulfport. Include your parcel number, the assessed value you're contesting, your opinion of correct value, and all supporting evidence such as comparable sales data and photos.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Harrison County?
Harrison County offers three tiers of homestead exemptions with varying benefits. The Regular Homestead Exemption provides up to $300 in tax credit for all eligible homeowners on the first $7,500 of assessed value. Homeowners age 65 or older, or those classified as totally disabled, qualify for the Additional Homestead Exemption which provides a total exemption from ad valorem taxes on the first $7,500 of assessed value, which typically saves significantly more than $300. Honorably discharged veterans with 100% service-connected disability receive a Total Exemption from all property taxes on their homestead property regardless of value. You must apply between January 1 and April 1 at the Tax Assessor's office with proper documentation including your recorded deed, Social Security number, and proof of age or disability if applicable.
What happens at a Board of Supervisors hearing in Harrison County?
At a Harrison County Board of Supervisors property tax appeal hearing, you'll typically have 5-15 minutes to present your case explaining why your property is overassessed. You should present evidence such as comparable sales showing similar properties valued lower, photos documenting property condition issues, repair estimates for defects, or documentation of assessment errors like incorrect square footage. The Board members will review your evidence, may ask questions about your property value claims, and then make a determination on whether to adjust your assessed value. It's important to organize your evidence clearly, stick to facts about market value rather than complaints about high taxes, and be prepared with specific data supporting your requested valuation. The Board will issue a decision that either grants a reduction, denies your appeal, or adjusts the value to something different than what you requested.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Harrison County?
The amount you can save by appealing depends on how much your property is overassessed and the strength of your evidence. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed and pay an average of $1,346 too much annually. In Harrison County with an effective tax rate of 0.65%, a successful appeal reducing your market value by $50,000 would lower your assessed value by $5,000 (at the 10% assessment ratio), resulting in annual savings of approximately $325. If you can demonstrate your property is overassessed by $100,000, you could save around $650 per year. The key is gathering strong comparable sales data showing similar properties valued significantly lower than yours, or documenting major property defects or assessment errors that justify a substantial reduction.
What evidence do I need for a Harrison County property tax appeal?
For a successful Harrison County property tax appeal, you need hard data demonstrating your property is overassessed, not just opinions. The most important evidence is comparable sales data showing 3-5 similar properties in your neighborhood that recently sold for less than your assessed market value, include addresses, sale dates, prices, and how they compare to your property. Property condition documentation is also valuable, including photos of damage, deferred maintenance, or functional obsolescence, along with contractor repair estimates quantifying the cost to fix issues. If the assessor made errors, provide documentation showing incorrect square footage, wrong number of bedrooms/bathrooms, or inaccurate lot size with supporting measurements or previous appraisals. A recent independent appraisal by a licensed appraiser carries significant weight. You may also include market analysis showing declining property values in your area with supporting sales trend data.
Can I appeal my Harrison County property taxes online?
Harrison County does not currently offer a dedicated online property tax appeal filing system. To file an appeal, you must contact the Tax Assessor's office by phone at 228-865-4043, mail your appeal to P.O. Box 462, Gulfport, MS 39502, or visit in person at the First Judicial District office at 1801 23rd Ave., Gulfport, MS 39501. However, you can use the county's online Property Search Application at harrisonms.geopowered.com/propertysearch/ to research your property's assessed value and gather information for your appeal. You can also download the Property Tax Protest Form from the county website at harrisoncountyms.gov. While the initial appeal filing must be done offline, the online property search tool is valuable for researching comparable properties and verifying your property's assessment details before filing your appeal.
What is Mississippi's 10% assessment ratio and how does it affect my Harrison County property taxes?
Mississippi's Constitution requires owner-occupied residential properties to be assessed at 10% of true market value, which significantly affects your tax calculation. This means if Harrison County's Tax Assessor determines your home's market value is $250,000, only $25,000 (10% of $250,000) becomes your assessed value that's subject to taxation. Your actual property tax is then calculated by multiplying this assessed value by the local millage rate. For example, at Harrison County's effective rate of 0.65%, a $250,000 home would have an assessed value of $25,000, resulting in approximately $1,625 in annual taxes. This 10% assessment ratio is why Mississippi property owners pay relatively low property taxes compared to states that assess at higher percentages. When appealing, you're challenging the market value determination, which then affects the assessed value through this 10% ratio.

Official Resources

For state-wide appeal information including Mississippi's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Mississippi Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Mississippi Counties

Sources: https://harrisoncountyms.gov/goverment/tax_assessor/appeals.php | https://www.appealdesk.com/blog/how-to-appeal-property-taxes-in-mississippi | https://smartasset.com/taxes/mississippi-property-tax-calculator | https://www.dor.ms.gov/county-services/property-tax-frequently-asked-questions | https://harrisoncountyms.gov/goverment/tax_assessor/homestead.php

Last verified: 2026-07-24