Forsyth County Property Tax Appeal — North Carolina

Rob Hartley·Updated February 16, 2026

Forsyth County is located in the northwest Piedmont region of North Carolina with Winston-Salem as its county seat. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 382,590, making it the fourth-most populous county in North Carolina. The county has a median home value of approximately $269,700 and an effective property tax rate of 0.95%, resulting in a median annual property tax bill of approximately $1,755. Compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Forsyth County homeowners pay significantly less, though the county's effective tax rate is higher than North Carolina's state average of 0.73%.

Notable cities: Winston-Salem, Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, Rural Hall

Median Home

$269,700

Tax Rate

0.95%

Annual Tax

$1,755

Population

382,590

2026 Appeal Deadline: June 30, 2026 or within 15 days of your last value notice, whichever is later

For the 2026 reappraisal (affecting 2026 taxes), formal appeals must be filed by June 30, 2026 or within 15 days of your last value notice, whichever is later. Informal appeals must be filed within 30 days of the date printed on the reappraisal notice.

Property in Forsyth County, North Carolina — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Forsyth County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Forsyth County Tax Administration

Assessment cycle: quadrennial

Notices typically mailed: January (reappraisal years) or Spring

In North Carolina, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the market value. For example, if your home's market value is $269,700 (Forsyth County's median), at North Carolina's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $269,700. At the county's effective tax rate of 0.95%, this would result in approximately $2,562 in annual property taxes. Forsyth County performs reappraisals every four years to ensure property values reflect current market conditions.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization and Review. The Board of Equalization and Review hearing is a formal process where you are allotted a specific amount of time to present your case and the county also has time to present its side. The board may decide immediately or delay its decision to deliberate further, and you will receive a written decision by mail.

Review your reappraisal notice carefully and compare your assessed value to recent comparable sales in your neighborhood using the Forsyth Sales tool on the county website.

File an Informal Appeal within 30 days of your reappraisal notice date using the form included with your notice. A county appraiser may inspect your property and review your evidence.

If the informal appeal is not resolved to your satisfaction, file a Formal Appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review by June 30, 2026 or within 15 days of your last value notice, whichever is later.

Gather supporting evidence including a professional appraisal, comparable property sales showing lower market values, photos documenting structural issues or defects, and repair estimates that impact your property's value.

Attend your hearing before the Board of Equalization and Review, where you will present your case and evidence. The board will review your evidence and may uphold, reduce, or increase the assessed value. You will receive a written decision by mail.

If you disagree with the Board's decision, you have 30 days to appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission, which meets monthly in Raleigh.

Further appeals can be made to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court if necessary, though legal representation is recommended at these levels.

Required form: Informal Appeal Form (included with reappraisal notice) or Formal Appeal Form (available online or by calling(336) 703-2300)

Filing Methods

online:Download forms from the Detailed Property Information search at https://forsyth.cc/tax/propertylookup.aspx

mail:Forsyth County Tax Administration, P.O. Box 757, Winston-Salem, NC 27102

phone:Call(336) 703-2300 to request forms

in-person:201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Evidence to Bring

Professional appraisal from a certified appraiserComparable property sales showing lower market valuesPhotos documenting structural issues or defectsRepair estimates that impact property valueDocumentation of assessment errors or incorrect property information

Forsyth County Assessor Contact

Forsyth County Tax Administration

Phone: (336) 703-2300

Address: 201 North Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (Mailing: P.O. Box 757, Winston-Salem, NC 27102)

Website: https://forsyth.cc/tax/

Online Portal: https://forsyth.cc/tax/propertylookup.aspx

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (except holidays)

Tax Exemptions in Forsyth County

Elderly or Disabled Exclusion

Greater of $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value of the residence

North Carolina excludes from property taxes a portion of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by residents aged 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled.

Eligibility: North Carolina residents aged 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled whose income does not exceed $31,000 annually. Income includes Social Security benefits, retirement payments, insurance proceeds, interest, and dividends, but excludes gifts or inheritances from spouse or immediate family.Deadline: June 1

Disabled Veteran Exclusion

$45,000 exclusion from appraised value

Excludes $45,000 of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by an honorably discharged disabled veteran or unmarried surviving spouse.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged disabled veteran with 100% permanent total service-connected disability or receiving benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101, or their unmarried surviving spouse.Deadline: June 1

Circuit Breaker Tax Deferral Program

Taxes limited to 4% of income if income does not exceed $38,800 (2026), or 5% of income if income is between $38,800 and $58,200

Limits property taxes to a percentage of the owner's income for qualifying low-income homeowners, with excess taxes deferred as a lien on the property.

Eligibility: Property owners whose income is below the income eligibility limits. Deferred taxes remain a lien on the property, with the last three years of deferred taxes becoming due upon death, transfer, or failure to use as permanent residence.Deadline: June 1

Official Resources

Forsyth County Tax Administration Website →

Official county tax office website with property lookup tools, appeal forms, tax rates, and comprehensive information about assessments and payments.

Forsyth County Detailed Property Information Search →

Search your property records, view current assessments, access appeal forms, and review property characteristics used in your valuation.

North Carolina Property Tax Commission →

State-level appeal information and procedures for appealing beyond the county Board of Equalization and Review to the NC Property Tax Commission.

Forsyth County Property Tax Relief and Exemptions →

Complete information about elderly, disabled, and veteran exemptions, including eligibility requirements, application forms, and income limits.

Check Your Forsyth County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Forsyth County for 2026?

For the 2026 reappraisal affecting 2026 taxes, the formal appeal deadline is June 30, 2026 or within 15 days of your last value notice, whichever is later. If you prefer to start with an informal appeal, you must file within 30 days of the date printed on your reappraisal notice. The informal appeal process allows you to work directly with a county appraiser to resolve valuation concerns before proceeding to a formal hearing. Missing these deadlines may result in losing your right to appeal for this reappraisal cycle, so it's critical to act promptly after receiving your assessment notice.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Forsyth County online?

To file a property tax appeal online in Forsyth County, visit the Detailed Property Information search at https://forsyth.cc/tax/propertylookup.aspx and download the appropriate appeal form from the top of your property information page. For informal appeals, use the form included with your reappraisal notice within 30 days. For formal appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review, download the Formal Appeal Form from the county website or request one by calling(336) 703-2300. Complete the form with your evidence and mail it to P.O. Box 757, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, or submit it in person at 201 North Chestnut Street during business hours.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Forsyth County?

Forsyth County offers the North Carolina Elderly or Disabled Exclusion rather than a traditional homestead exemption. This exclusion is worth the greater of $25,000 or 50% of your home's appraised value for qualifying residents aged 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled with income not exceeding $31,000 annually. For example, on a home valued at $269,700 (the county median), a 50% exclusion would remove $134,850 from taxation, potentially saving approximately $1,281 in annual property taxes at the 0.95% effective rate. Applications must be filed with the Tax Assessor's Office by June 1 each year.

How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Forsyth County?

The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Forsyth County depends on how much your assessed value is reduced. At the county's effective tax rate of approximately 0.95%, every $10,000 reduction in your assessed value saves you about $95 per year in property taxes. For example, if you successfully appeal and reduce your home's assessed value from $300,000 to $270,000, you would save approximately $285 annually. Given that studies show about 25% of homes in America are overassessed by an average of $1,346 annually, many Forsyth County homeowners could see significant savings by appealing an incorrect assessment.

What happens at a Board of Equalization and Review hearing in Forsyth County?

At a Board of Equalization and Review hearing in Forsyth County, you are allotted a specific amount of time to present your case with evidence supporting your claim that your property is overvalued. The county also has time to present its assessment and defend the valuation. You should bring professional appraisals, comparable sales data, photos of defects, and repair estimates to strengthen your case. The Board may choose to decide your appeal immediately or delay its decision to deliberate further. After the hearing, you will receive the Board's written decision by mail, which may uphold, reduce, or in some cases increase your assessed value. If unsatisfied, you have 30 days to appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission.

What evidence do I need for a Forsyth County property tax appeal?

To succeed in a Forsyth County property tax appeal, you should gather comprehensive evidence including a recent professional appraisal from a certified appraiser showing your property's true market value. Collect comparable sales data from the Forsyth Sales tool on the county website showing similar properties that sold for less than your assessed value. Document any structural issues, needed repairs, or property defects with photographs and obtain written repair estimates from licensed contractors. Also gather evidence of any factual errors in the county's assessment, such as incorrect square footage, wrong number of bathrooms, or other inaccurate property characteristics. The more thorough and well-documented your evidence, the stronger your appeal case will be.

When does Forsyth County conduct property reappraisals?

Forsyth County conducts comprehensive property reappraisals every four years, which is more frequent than the state-required minimum of every eight years. The most recent reappraisal was completed in 2026, with the previous one occurring in 2021. This quadrennial reappraisal cycle helps lessen the dramatic shifts in property values that can occur over longer periods, promoting more gradual and predictable tax changes. Reappraisal notices are typically mailed to property owners in January of the reappraisal year. Between reappraisal years, your assessed value generally remains the same unless you make significant improvements to your property, though the tax rate itself may change annually based on municipal budgets.

Can I appeal my Forsyth County property taxes if my assessment didn't change but my tax bill increased?

You can only appeal your property's assessed value, not the tax rate itself or your total tax bill amount. If your assessment didn't change but your tax bill increased, this is likely due to an increase in the tax rate set by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners or your municipal government. Tax rates are determined annually based on budgetary needs and are a separate decision from property valuations. However, if you believe your property's assessed value is incorrect regardless of whether it changed recently, you still have the right to appeal that valuation during the appeal period. Focus your appeal on demonstrating that the assessed value exceeds your property's true market value using comparable sales and appraisal evidence.

For state-wide appeal information including North Carolina's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our North Carolina 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 North Carolina Counties

Cumberland County (Fayetteville)Guilford County (Greensboro)Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)Wake County (Raleigh)

← All North Carolina property tax appeal info

Sources: https://forsyth.cc/tax/ | https://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/tax/article.aspx?NewsID=28754 | https://forsyth.cc/tax/revaluation.aspx | https://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/tax/exemptions.aspx | https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/property-tax/property-tax-appeal-process | https://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/budget/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsyth_County,_North_Carolina

Last verified: 2026-02-16