New Hanover County Property Tax Appeal, North Carolina

Travis Bunn·Updated July 24, 2026

New Hanover County is located in southeastern coastal North Carolina with a population of approximately 225,702 residents. The county seat is Wilmington, the largest city in the county with about 129,000 residents, along with popular beach towns including Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Kure Beach. New Hanover County's median home value of $318,100 is significantly higher than the North Carolina state median of $155,500, making property tax appeals particularly valuable for homeowners seeking to reduce their tax burden. The county's effective property tax rate of 0.57% to 0.72% is below both the national median of 1.02% and the state median of 0.81%, but property values drive higher absolute tax bills averaging $1,711 to $1,996 annually.

Notable cities: Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach

Median Home

$318,100

Tax Rate

0.62%

Annual Tax

$1,971

Population

225,702

On the typical New Hanover County home, valued near $318,100 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.62%, 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: May 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

The New Hanover County Board of Equalization and Review sets a fixed adjournment date each year, which serves as the appeal deadline. For tax year 2026, all appeals must be submitted by May 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Property owners can appeal as soon as they receive their notice of value, typically mailed in spring. The Board meets between the first Monday in April and the first Monday in May annually.

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How New Hanover County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: New Hanover County Tax Administration / Department of Tax Administration

Assessment cycle: quadrennial (every four years)

Notices typically mailed: Spring (March-April)

North Carolina assesses property at 100% of fair market value, meaning there is no assessment ratio adjustment. If your home's market value is $318,100 (the county median), your assessed value would be exactly $318,100. At New Hanover County's effective tax rate of approximately 0.62%, this would result in an annual property tax bill of approximately $1,972. The county conducts comprehensive revaluations every four years, with the most recent effective date of January 1, 2025, to ensure all properties are assessed at current market values.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization and Review. After filing your appeal, you will be scheduled for a hearing before the Board of Equalization and Review, typically held in April or May. You will present your evidence demonstrating that the county's assessed value substantially exceeds the property's true market value as of January 1. The Board will review your evidence, hear from county staff, and issue a written decision.

Review your property assessment notice carefully and verify all property details (size, features, condition) are accurate on the county website at etax.nhcgov.com

Contact the New Hanover County Tax Office informally at 910-798-7300 or reappraisal@nhcgov.com to discuss your concerns and potentially resolve the matter without a formal appeal

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, file a formal written appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review before the May 14, 2026 deadline using the Residential Property Tax Appeal Form or written statement

Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales of similar properties in your neighborhood, photographs showing property condition or defects, repair estimates, and a professional appraisal if available

Attend your scheduled hearing before the New Hanover County Board of Equalization and Review, where you will present your evidence showing the assessed value exceeds true market value

If dissatisfied with the Board's decision, file a Notice of Appeal (Form AV-14) with the North Carolina Property Tax Commission within 30 days of receiving the Board's decision notice

As a final option, appeal the Property Tax Commission's decision to the North Carolina Court of Appeals on matters of law within the specified timeframe

Required form: Residential Property Tax Appeal Form (available on county website) or written appeal letter

Filing Methods

online:Contact county for online filing portal availability or download forms at https://www.nhcgov.com/2721/Property-Value-Appeals

mail:New Hanover County Tax Administration, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403

in-person:230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

email:reappraisal@nhcgov.com or TaxAdmin@nhcgov.com

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (within 6-12 months) of similar properties in your areaProfessional appraisal report showing lower market valuePhotographs documenting property defects, damage, or condition issuesRepair estimates or contractor quotes for needed workDocumentation of property characteristics or errors in county records

New Hanover County Assessor Contact

New Hanover County Tax Administration

Phone: 910-798-7300

Address: 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403

Website: https://www.nhcgov.com/328/Tax-Department

Online Portal: https://etax.nhcgov.com/

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

Tax Exemptions in New Hanover County

Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion

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

Excludes a portion of the home's appraised value from property taxes for qualifying senior citizens and disabled individuals

Eligibility: Must be age 65 or older OR totally and permanently disabled as of January 1; must own and occupy the home as permanent residence; income for preceding year must be $38,800 or less (2026 limit)Deadline: June 1 (one-time application required using Form AV-9)

Disabled Veteran Homestead Exclusion

$45,000 exclusion from appraised value

Excludes $45,000 of appraised value for qualifying disabled veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with 100% permanent total service-connected disability OR receiving benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101; must own and occupy as permanent residence; no income requirementDeadline: June 1 (one-time application required using Form AV-9 with VA certification)

Homestead Circuit Breaker Deferment

Tax capped at 4% of income (for income up to $38,800) or 5% (for income $38,801-$58,200); excess tax deferred with 6% annual interest

Defers property taxes exceeding a percentage of household income for qualifying low-income elderly or disabled homeowners

Eligibility: Must meet all Homestead Exclusion requirements PLUS have owned and occupied residence for 5 consecutive years; this is a deferral (lien), not an exemption, and must be repaid when property is soldDeadline: June 1 annually (annual application required using Form AV-9)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The appeal deadline for tax year 2026 in New Hanover County is May 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. This is a firm deadline set by the Board of Equalization and Review's adjournment date. You can begin appealing your property value as soon as you receive your notice of value, which is typically mailed in spring. Appeals submitted after the May 14 deadline cannot be accepted for the 2026 tax year. The Board meets annually between the first Monday in April and the first Monday in May, and the adjournment date serves as the final opportunity to file an appeal for that year.

How do I file a property tax appeal in New Hanover County?

To file a property tax appeal in New Hanover County, you should first contact the Tax Office informally at 910-798-7300 or reappraisal@nhcgov.com to discuss your concerns. If informal resolution is unsuccessful, file a formal appeal using the Residential Property Tax Appeal Form available at https://www.nhcgov.com/2721/Property-Value-Appeals. You can submit your appeal by mail to 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403, in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM), or by email to reappraisal@nhcgov.com. Include supporting evidence such as comparable sales, photographs, and repair estimates showing your property's assessed value exceeds its true market value.

What is the homestead exemption worth in New Hanover County?

New Hanover County offers the Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion, which excludes the greater of $25,000 or 50% of your home's appraised value from property taxes. To qualify, you must be age 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled as of January 1, own and occupy the home as your permanent residence, and have income of $38,800 or less for the preceding year (2026 limit). For example, if your home is assessed at $318,100 (the county median), this exclusion would remove $159,050 from your taxable value, saving approximately $986 annually in property taxes. You must file a one-time application using Form AV-9 by June 1.

What evidence do I need for a successful property tax appeal in New Hanover County?

To successfully appeal your property taxes in New Hanover County, you must prove the county's assessed value substantially exceeds your property's true market value as of January 1. Strong evidence includes recent comparable sales (within 6-12 months) of similar homes in your neighborhood that sold for less than your assessment, a professional appraisal demonstrating lower market value, photographs documenting property damage or condition issues, and contractor estimates for needed repairs. You should also verify the county's records are accurate regarding your property's square footage, age, features, and condition. Simply disagreeing with your assessment is not sufficient, you need concrete evidence that the valuation is incorrect.

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

At a New Hanover County Board of Equalization and Review hearing, you will present your evidence demonstrating that your property's assessed value exceeds its true market value as of January 1. The hearing is your opportunity to show comparable sales, photographs, appraisals, and other documentation supporting a lower valuation. County staff will also present their assessment methodology and evidence. The Board, comprised of local citizens appointed by County Commissioners, will review all evidence and testimony before making a decision. You will receive a written Notice of Decision after the hearing. If you're dissatisfied with the Board's decision, you have 30 days to appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission.

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

The amount you can save by appealing depends on how much your property is overassessed and the evidence you present. With New Hanover County's effective tax rate of approximately 0.62%, every $10,000 reduction in assessed value saves about $62 annually in property taxes. For example, if your home is assessed at $350,000 but comparable sales support a value of $320,000, a successful appeal reducing your assessment by $30,000 would save approximately $186 per year. National statistics show that about 25% of homes are overassessed by an average of $5,000 to $10,000. Given New Hanover County's high median home value of $318,100, even small percentage reductions can result in meaningful savings over time.

Can I appeal my New Hanover County property taxes if I missed the informal review period?

Yes, you can still file a formal appeal with the New Hanover County Board of Equalization and Review even if you didn't participate in an informal review. While the informal review process allows you to discuss concerns with county staff and potentially resolve issues without a formal hearing, it is not a required step. You can file a formal appeal at any time between January 1 and the Board's adjournment date (May 14, 2026 for tax year 2026). However, attempting informal resolution first is recommended because county staff may identify errors or adjust your assessment without requiring a formal hearing. Contact the Tax Office at 910-798-7300 or reappraisal@nhcgov.com to discuss your property value.

Does New Hanover County conduct revaluations every year?

No, New Hanover County conducts comprehensive revaluations every four years, not annually. The most recent countywide revaluation had an effective date of January 1, 2025. During revaluation years, all properties in the county are reassessed to reflect current market values. Between revaluation years, property values generally remain unchanged unless there are physical alterations to the property such as new construction, additions, or significant improvements. North Carolina law requires counties to revalue at least every eight years, but New Hanover County's Board of Commissioners chose a four-year cycle in 2008 due to the area's rapid growth. The four-year cycle helps ensure property assessments stay closer to actual market values.

Official Resources

New Hanover County Tax Administration Official Website →

Official county tax department website with forms, payment options, and contact information.

New Hanover County Property Value Appeals Information →

Official page with appeal deadlines, forms, and step-by-step instructions for filing property tax appeals.

New Hanover County Property Search Portal →

Online property records database to search your assessment, view property details, and verify county records.

North Carolina Property Tax Commission →

State-level appeals board for property tax disputes after county Board of Equalization and Review decisions.

New Hanover County Property Tax Relief Programs →

Information on homestead exclusions, elderly exemptions, disabled veteran exemptions, and application forms.

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)Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)Gaston County (Gastonia)Guilford County (Greensboro)

← All North Carolina property tax appeal info

Sources: https://www.nhcgov.com/2721/Property-Value-Appeals | https://www.nhcgov.com/328/Tax-Department | https://www.nhcgov.com/2718/Revaluation-FAQs | https://www.nhcgov.com/329/Real-Property-Revaluation | https://www.nhcgov.com/380/Tax-Relief-Deferment | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/north-carolina/new-hanover-county | https://www.ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/property-tax/property-tax-appeal-process/property-tax-commission-ptc | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hanover_County,_North_Carolina

Last verified: 2026-07-24