Forsyth County Property Tax Appeal, North Carolina

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

Forsyth County is located in the northwest Piedmont region of North Carolina with Winston-Salem serving 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%. Property tax appeals are particularly important in Forsyth County because revaluations occur every four years, and even a 10% over-assessment on the median home can result in overpaying approximately $256 per year until corrected.

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

Median Home

$269,700

Tax Rate

0.95%

Annual Tax

$1,755

Population

382,590

On the typical Forsyth County home, valued near $269,700 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.95%, 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: June 30, 2026 or within 15 days of your last value notice, whichever is later

For real property appeals in the 2026 reappraisal, 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. The informal review process allows you to work directly with a county appraiser before proceeding to a formal hearing.

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How Forsyth County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Forsyth County Tax Administration - Tax Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: quadrennial (every four years)

Notices typically mailed: February-March

In North Carolina, properties are assessed at 100% of their market value, meaning the assessed value equals the market value. Forsyth County conducts reappraisals every four years to ensure property values reflect current market conditions. 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.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization and Review. Hearings before the Board are by appointment only, and appellants will be notified by first class mail of their appointed hearing date and time. The 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, with the burden of proof on the appellant to show the assessed value substantially exceeds fair market value.

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 at forsyth.cc/tax

File an Informal Appeal within 30 days of your reappraisal notice date using the form included with your notice or through the eNotices portal. A county appraiser may inspect your property and review your evidence to resolve the matter without a formal hearing.

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. Submit the completed BER appeal form with supporting evidence.

Prepare your evidence packet including comparable sales from your neighborhood, photographs showing property condition, repair estimates for any damage or defects, and any professional appraisals conducted during the reappraisal period.

Attend your scheduled Board of Equalization and Review hearing by appointment only. You will be notified by first class mail of your appointed hearing date and time. Present your case within the allotted time and be prepared to demonstrate that the assessed value substantially exceeds fair market value.

If you disagree with the Board's decision, you may appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission. This is the second level of appeal beyond the county level.

As a final option, if the Property Tax Commission decision is unsatisfactory, you may appeal to Superior Court, though legal representation is recommended at this stage.

Required form: 2026 Appeal to the Forsyth County Board of Equalization and Review (BER) form

Filing Methods

online:Download the appeal form from https://forsyth.cc/tax/propertylookup.aspx or file online through eNotices portal at enoticesonline.com

mail:P.O. Box 757, Winston-Salem, NC 27102

in-person:Forsyth County Government Center, 201 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales from your neighborhood showing lower valuesPhotographs documenting property condition or damageRepair estimates for significant issues like foundation or roof problemsProfessional appraisal conducted during the reappraisal periodDocumentation of property characteristics that differ from county records

Forsyth County Assessor Contact

Forsyth County Tax Administration - Tax Assessor's Office

Phone: 336-703-2300

Address: 201 N. 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: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday - Friday)

Tax Exemptions in Forsyth County

Elderly or Disabled Exclusion

The greater of $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value

Excludes a portion of the appraised value of a permanent residence from taxation for qualifying elderly or disabled homeowners

Eligibility: North Carolina residents aged 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled as of January 1, 2026, with previous annual income not exceeding $38,800Deadline: June 1, 2026

Disabled Veteran Exclusion

$45,000 of appraised value

Excludes a portion of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by an honorably discharged disabled veteran or unmarried surviving spouse

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% permanent total service-connected disability or recipients of specially adapted housing benefits under 38 U.S.C. 2101, or unmarried surviving spouses of qualifying veteransDeadline: June 1, 2026

Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment

Taxes limited to 4% of income if income does not exceed $38,800, 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 becoming due upon death, transfer, or failure to use as permanent residenceDeadline: June 1, 2026

Forsyth County Appeal Packet · $49

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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 2026 BER Appeal Form from the top of your property information page. You can also file an informal appeal through the eNotices portal at enoticesonline.com using the authorization code shown on your reappraisal notice if you have registered. For formal appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review, complete the form with your evidence and submit it online, or mail it to P.O. Box 757, Winston-Salem, NC 27102, or deliver 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 $38,800 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 by June 1, 2026 to receive benefits for the 2026 tax year.

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

Hearings before the Forsyth County Board of Equalization and Review are by appointment only, and you will be notified by first class mail of your appointed hearing date and time. The hearing is a formal process where you are allotted a specific amount of time to present your case with evidence such as comparable sales, photographs, and appraisals, and the county also has time to present its side defending the assessment. The burden of proof is on you as the appellant to demonstrate that the assessed value substantially exceeds the fair market value of the property or that the Tax Assessor used an illegal or arbitrary assessment method. The board may decide immediately or delay its decision to deliberate further, and you will receive a written decision by mail after the hearing.

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

The potential savings from a successful appeal depends on your property's over-assessment and the county's tax rate. On the typical Forsyth County home valued near $269,700 at the county's effective tax rate of 0.95%, an over-assessment of even 10% means you are overpaying approximately $256 per year. A successful 2026 appeal in Forsyth County locks in savings until the 2029 or 2030 revaluation, meaning a $256 annual reduction would save over $1,000 across the four-year period. According to local real estate professionals, about 1 in 3 Triad NC property tax appeals succeeds and the average successful appeal saves homeowners $480 to $1,820 per year, making the effort worthwhile for most over-assessed properties.

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

The Board of Equalization and Review cannot give an appeal proper consideration unless you submit factual information supporting your contentions of being incorrectly assessed. For real property appeals, the strongest evidence includes recent comparable sales within your neighborhood that closed below your assessed value during the reappraisal period, photographs documenting property condition or significant damage, construction costs and repair estimates related to major improvements or damage to the home such as roof or foundation issues, and any professional appraisals performed during the reappraisal time period. Normal wear and tear typically does not count as supporting evidence, but documentation of major defects or market conditions that distinguish your property from the county's valuation will strengthen your case substantially.

Can I file an informal appeal before going to the Board of Equalization in Forsyth County?

Yes, Forsyth County offers an informal appeal process that must be filed within 30 days of receiving your reappraisal notice. You can file an informal appeal by returning the enclosed form with your reappraisal notice or through Forsyth County's eNotices portal at enoticesonline.com using your authorization code. During the informal appeal process, a county appraiser may inspect your property and review your evidence to potentially resolve the valuation concern without proceeding to a formal hearing. Many appeals are settled at this informal stage, saving time and effort. If the informal appeal is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can then file a formal appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review by June 30, 2026 or within 15 days of your last value notice.

When does Forsyth County conduct property reappraisals and send assessment notices?

Forsyth County has generally performed reappraisals every four years since 1988, which lessens the shift in values that would occur over an eight-year period. The most recent revaluation went into effect on January 1, 2025, and reappraisal notices are typically mailed to property owners in February or March. North Carolina law requires each county to reappraise real property at least every eight years, but Forsyth County opts for more frequent revaluations to maintain fairness and accuracy. Once you receive your reappraisal notice, you should review it carefully as it shows your old value, new value, and the appeal deadline, and you should mark the deadline in your calendar within 24 hours of receiving the notice to ensure you don't miss your appeal window.

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, download 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.

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

Buncombe County (Asheville)Cumberland County (Fayetteville)Durham County (Durham)Gaston County (Gastonia)Guilford County (Greensboro)Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)

← All North Carolina property tax appeal info

Sources: https://co.forsyth.nc.us/tax/article.aspx?NewsID=29123 | https://www.appealdesk.com/appeals/north-carolina/forsyth | https://forsyth.cc/tax/propertylookup.aspx | https://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/tax/assets/documents/2026_BER_appeal_form.pdf | https://forsyth.cc/tax/revaluation.aspx

Last verified: 2026-07-24