New Hanover County Property Tax Appeal, North Carolina

Rob Hartley·Updated May 15, 2026

New Hanover County is a coastal county in southeastern North Carolina, with Wilmington serving as the county seat and largest city, alongside notable beach communities like Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. Property tax appeals matter significantly here because the county reassesses property values every 4 years and the most recent cycle brought significant increases, with property values rising by an average of nearly 60% across the county . The median New Hanover County effective property tax rate is 0.57%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and the median annual tax bill is $1,671, which is $729 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400 . According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home value in New Hanover County is $320,000, among the highest in North Carolina , which means even small percentage reductions through appeal can yield meaningful savings.

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

Median Home

$320,000

Tax Rate

0.57%

Annual Tax

$1,671

On the typical New Hanover County home, valued near $320,000 at the county’s effective tax rate of 0.57%, 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 appeal deadline for tax year 2026 is May 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Appeals must be submitted before this deadline to be considered by the Board of Equalization and Review.

See if your New Hanover County home is over-assessed

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Property in New Hanover County, North Carolina, local tax assessment and appeal guide

How New Hanover County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: New Hanover County Tax Department

Assessment cycle: Quadrennial (every 4 years)

Notices typically mailed: January-February (revaluation years)

North Carolina assesses property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 of the revaluation year. Once construction is completed, the property will be re-assessed at 100% of its value for the following year . For example, if your home's market value is $320,000 (the county median), at North Carolina's 100% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $320,000, resulting in approximately $1,824 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of 0.57%.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Equalization and Review. The Board of Equalization and Review (BOER) is a special board appointed by the New Hanover County Commissioners consisting of residents with knowledge of the local commercial and residential real estate market, including professionals from real estate brokerage, appraisal, construction, and legal fields. The BOER is divided into smaller panels based on their areas of expertise and scheduling of appeals . After the hearing, you will receive a written decision notice.

Review your notice of value and check property details on the county tax website for accuracy (square footage, bedrooms, condition, lot size)

Gather supporting evidence including recent comparable sales, professional appraisals, photographs of property condition issues, and repair estimates

Complete the 2026 Residential Property Tax Appeal Form (or Commercial form) available on the New Hanover County Tax Department website

Submit your appeal online, by email to reappraisal@nhcgov.com, by mail, or in person before the May 14, 2026 deadline at 5:00 p.m.

Participate in an informal review with a county appraiser who may adjust the value or schedule a formal hearing

Attend your Board of Equalization and Review (BOER) hearing where a panel will hear evidence and issue a written decision

If dissatisfied with the BOER decision, file a Notice of Appeal and Application for Hearing with the North Carolina Property Tax Commission within 30 days

Further appeals may be taken to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and, in certain cases, to the Supreme Court of North Carolina

Required form: 2026 Residential Property Tax Appeal Form (or Commercial Property Tax Appeal Form for commercial properties)

Filing Methods

online:https://www.nhcgov.com/2721/Property-Value-Appeals - file directly through the county's online appeal portal

email:reappraisal@nhcgov.com

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

in-person:230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403

Evidence to Bring

Recent comparable sales (sold within 12 months of January 1, 2026)Independent professional appraisalPhotographs documenting property condition issues or defectsRepair estimates from licensed contractorsRecent purchase documents if recently boughtInsurance appraisals or bank line-of-credit valuations

New Hanover County Assessor Contact

New Hanover County Tax Department

Phone: 910-798-7300

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

Website: https://tax.nhcgov.com/

Online Portal: https://www.nhcgov.com/2721/Property-Value-Appeals

Hours: Monday through Friday (Except Holidays) 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tax Exemptions in New Hanover County

Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1)

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

The amount of the appraised value of the residence equal to the exclusion amount is excluded from taxation. The exclusion amount is the greater of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) or fifty percent (50%) of the appraised value of the residence .

Eligibility: Must be at least 65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled on or before January 1 of the current year ; income limit applies ($37,900 for 2025 tax year)Deadline: June 1, 2026

Disabled Veteran Homestead Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1C)

$45,000 of assessed value

The disabled veteran homestead exemption is the first $45,000 of your assessed real property value . Available to honorably discharged veterans with service-connected permanent disability or their unremarried surviving spouses.

Eligibility: There is no age or income requirement ; veteran must have total and permanent service-connected disabilityDeadline: June 1, 2026

Homestead Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment (G.S. 105-277.1B)

Taxes limited to 4-5% of income

The homestead circuit breaker is the deferral of property taxes that exceed a tax limitation. This tax deferment program is for NC residents who meet all of the qualifications for the homestead exclusion plus they have lived in and owned their current residence for at least five years .

Eligibility: Age 65+ or totally/permanently disabled, 5+ years ownership, income under $56,850 (2025)Deadline: June 1, 2026

New Hanover County Appeal Packet — $49

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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 is May 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. This is a firm deadline, and appeals submitted after 5:00 p.m. on May 14 will not be considered by the Board of Equalization and Review. You should file as soon as possible after receiving your notice of value to allow time for informal review with a county appraiser before any formal hearing is scheduled.

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

You can file your appeal through the New Hanover County Tax Department's online portal at nhcgov.com/2721/Property-Value-Appeals. If homeowners believe their valuation is incorrect, they can file an appeal through the county's tax department website . You will need to complete the 2026 Residential Property Tax Appeal Form (or Commercial form for businesses), upload supporting evidence such as comparable sales and photos, and submit before the May 14, 2026 deadline. You can also email your appeal to reappraisal@nhcgov.com if you prefer.

What is the homestead exemption worth in New Hanover County?

North Carolina's Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion excludes from taxation the greater of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) or fifty percent (50%) of the appraised value of the residence . For disabled veterans, the disabled veteran homestead exemption is the first $45,000 of your assessed real property value . On a median $320,000 New Hanover County home, the elderly/disabled exclusion at 50% would shield $160,000 from taxation, saving roughly $912 annually at the 0.57% effective rate. Applications must be filed with the county tax assessor by June 1, 2026.

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

The Board of Equalization and Review (BOER) is a special board appointed by the New Hanover County Commissioners as authorized by state law. It consists of New Hanover County residents with knowledge of the local commercial and residential real estate market, including professionals from real estate brokerage, appraisal, construction, and legal fields . Not all BOER members will appear at each hearing; the BOER is divided into smaller panels based on their areas of expertise and scheduling of appeals . You'll present your evidence, the county appraiser will present theirs, and the panel will issue a written decision notice after the hearing.

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

Savings depend on how much your assessed value is reduced. At the New Hanover County effective tax rate of 0.57%, a $50,000 reduction in assessed value saves approximately $285 per year, while a $100,000 reduction saves about $570 annually. Property values have risen by an average of nearly 60% across the county in the recent revaluation, so many homeowners may find their assessments exceed actual market value. Statistics show that about 25% of homes in America are unfairly overassessed, and pay an average of $1,346 too much in property taxes every year .

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

The appeal process typically involves providing evidence, such as recent sales of comparable properties or details about your property that may affect its value . Strong evidence includes 3-5 recent comparable home sales within your neighborhood (sold within 12 months of January 1, 2026), an independent professional appraisal, photographs of property defects or damage, contractor repair estimates, and documentation of any factors that reduce value such as flood risk or foundation problems. You can not appeal based solely on the percentage increase in property value—appeals must be based on a market value of the property .

Can I appeal my New Hanover County assessment if I missed the May 14 deadline?

Generally, appeals filed after the May 14, 2026 deadline at 5:00 p.m. will not be considered for that tax year by the Board of Equalization and Review. However, if circumstances change or you discover errors after the deadline, you may contact the Tax Department at 910-798-7300 to discuss options. You can also appeal in subsequent years, and certain personal property appeals follow different timelines. Plan ahead and file early in the appeal window to avoid missing the deadline.

What if I disagree with the Board of Equalization decision in New Hanover County?

Following a hearing before the Board of Equalization and Review, you will receive a decision notice. If dissatisfied with this decision, you have 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal and Application for Hearing with the North Carolina Property Tax Commission . Once the North Carolina Property Tax Commission renders a decision, both the taxpayer and taxing jurisdiction retain the right to appeal to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals can uphold, overturn, or remand the commission's decision for further review . In rare cases, decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court of North Carolina.

Official Resources

New Hanover County Property Value Appeals Page →

Official county page for filing property tax appeals with forms, deadlines, and instructions.

New Hanover County Tax Department →

Main tax department website with contact information, tax payments, parcel and GIS maps, and assessments.

New Hanover County Property Search (eTax) →

Search property records by owner, address, or parcel ID to view assessed values and comparable properties.

NCDOR Application for Property Tax Relief (AV-9) →

Official North Carolina application form for elderly, disabled, and disabled veteran homestead exclusions.

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/2718/Revaluation-FAQs | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/north-carolina/new-hanover-county | https://smartasset.com/taxes/north-carolina-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ncdor.gov/av-9-2025-application-property-tax-relief-0/open

Last verified: 2026-05-15