AppealDesk

Rutherford County Property Tax Appeal — Tennessee

Rob HartleyRob Hartley·Updated February 15, 2026

Rutherford County, with its county seat in Murfreesboro, is one of Tennessee's fastest-growing counties and home to major employers like Nissan Motor Company, National Healthcare, and Ingram Content Group. The county includes the cities of Smyrna, La Vergne, and Eagleville, with over 124,807 real property parcels. With a median home value of $305,100 to $316,800 and an effective tax rate of 0.60%, property owners pay a median annual tax bill of $1,892, which is $508 lower than the national median of $2,400, making property tax appeals especially important for homeowners seeking to ensure fair assessments in this growing market.

Notable cities: Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Eagleville

Median Home

$316,800

Tax Rate

0.60%

Annual Tax

$1,892

Population

Over 350,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: June 1st of each year

The Rutherford County Board of Equalization begins hearings on June 1st annually. Property owners must contact the Assessor's Office prior to this date to initiate the appeal process.

Property in Rutherford County, Tennessee — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Rutherford County Assesses Property

25%of market value

Assessed by: Rutherford County Property Assessor's Office

Assessment cycle: quadrennial (every 4 years)

Notices typically mailed: Spring (typically by mid-April)

In Tennessee, residential properties are assessed at 25% of their market value for tax purposes. If your home's market value is $316,800 (the county median), at Tennessee's 25% assessment ratio your assessed value would be $79,200, resulting in approximately $1,488 in annual taxes at the county's effective rate of $1.8762 per $100 assessed value. Understanding this calculation is crucial when reviewing your assessment notice and considering whether to appeal your property valuation.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the County Board of Equalization. The Board will review your evidence and only consider proof that the appraisal is incorrect. Comments about tax rates or how fast values have increased are not relevant to your appeal.

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Step 1: Contact the Rutherford County Property Assessor's Office at(615) 898-7750 before June 1st to initiate an informal review with a Real Property Appraiser

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Step 2: Gather evidence including comparable sales, photos of property condition, repair estimates, and any documentation showing errors in the assessor's records

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Step 3: Meet with the appraiser for an informal review where they will review property information, make corrections, and discuss the property value

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Step 4: If unsatisfied with the informal review, schedule a formal hearing with the Rutherford County Board of Equalization which meets beginning June 1st

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Step 5: If the County Board denies your appeal, you may appeal to the State Board of Equalization by August 1st or within 45 days of the County Board's decision (whichever is later)

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Step 6: As a final option, file suit in Davidson County Chancery Court within 60 days of the State Board's final decision

Required form: No specific form required - contact the Assessor's Office directly to initiate appeal

Filing Methods

phone:Call(615) 898-7750 to start the informal review process
in-person:Visit 319 North Maple Street, Suite 200, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
mail:Mail request to Rutherford County Property Assessor, 319 North Maple Street, Suite 200, Murfreesboro, TN 37130
email:[email protected]

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property salesProfessional appraisalsPhotos of property conditionRepair estimatesDocumentation of errors in property records

Rutherford County Assessor Contact

Rutherford County Property Assessor's Office

Phone: (615) 898-7750

Address: 319 North Maple Street, Suite 200, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Website: https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/assessor

Online Portal: https://secured.rutherfordcountytn.gov/propertydata/

Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday-Friday

Tax Exemptions in Rutherford County

Property Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled

Variable based on income

Tax relief program for seniors 65+ and disabled residents

Eligibility: Age 65+ or disabled, income limit of $37,530 for 2024, must own and occupy property as primary residenceDeadline: 35 days after the county's delinquency date (approximately April 4th)

Property Tax Freeze

Prevents future increases

Freezes property taxes at current level for qualifying seniors

Eligibility: Property owners age 65 and olderDeadline: Contact Trustee's Office for details

Disabled Veteran Exemption

Tax relief calculated on first $175,000 of market value

Property tax relief for disabled veterans and surviving spouses

Eligibility: 100% service-connected disability, permanent paralysis, loss of two or more limbs, or surviving spouse of eligible veteranDeadline: 35 days after delinquency date

Greenbelt Program

Assessment based on present use value rather than market value

Reduced assessment for agricultural, forest, and open space lands

Eligibility: Agricultural land (15+ acres), forest land (15+ acres), or open space meeting specific criteriaDeadline: March 1st annually

Official Resources

Rutherford County Property Assessor Website →

Official website with property assessment information, forms, FAQs, and contact details for initiating appeals

Rutherford County Property Search Tool →

Search for property information, verify assessment details, and check property records online

Tennessee State Board of Equalization →

Information about state-level property tax appeals, exemption applications, and filing requirements

Rutherford County Tax Relief Information →

Details about property tax relief programs for seniors, disabled residents, and veterans including application forms

Check Your Rutherford County Assessment

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Rutherford County?
The Rutherford County Board of Equalization begins hearing property tax appeals on June 1st each year. You must contact the Property Assessor's Office at(615) 898-7750 before this date to initiate the appeal process with an informal review. If you miss this deadline, you'll need to wait until the following year to appeal your assessment, potentially paying higher taxes in the meantime.
How do I file a property tax appeal in Rutherford County if I disagree with my 2026 reappraisal?
Since 2026 is a reappraisal year for Rutherford County (occurring every 4 years), many property values will change significantly. To appeal, first call the Assessor's Office at(615) 898-7750 to schedule an informal review with a Real Property Appraiser. During this review, they'll examine your property information, make any necessary corrections, and discuss the valuation. If you're still unsatisfied, you can proceed to a formal hearing with the County Board of Equalization. Remember to bring comparable sales data and any evidence of errors in your property's assessment.
What is the homestead exemption worth in Rutherford County and how do I apply?
Rutherford County doesn't have a traditional homestead exemption, but offers several property tax relief programs. The Property Tax Relief program for seniors 65+ and disabled residents has an income limit of $37,530 for 2024, and the Property Tax Freeze prevents future increases for qualifying seniors. Additionally, disabled veterans can receive tax relief on the first $175,000 of their home's market value. Applications must be submitted to both the county and city (if within city limits) within 35 days after the delinquency date to receive relief on both portions of your tax bill.
What happens at a Board of Equalization hearing in Rutherford County?
At a Rutherford County Board of Equalization hearing, you'll present evidence to support your claim that your property is overassessed. The Board will only consider factual evidence such as comparable property sales, professional appraisals, photos showing property condition issues, or documentation of errors in the assessor's records. They won't consider arguments about tax rates or how quickly values have increased. The hearing is held at the Assessor's Office at 319 North Maple Street, and you should arrive prepared with multiple copies of all supporting documentation.
How much can I save by appealing my property taxes in Rutherford County?
The potential savings from a successful property tax appeal in Rutherford County depends on how much your property is overassessed. With the county's effective tax rate of 0.60% and a tax rate of $1.8762 per $100 of assessed value, every $10,000 reduction in your market value translates to about $47 in annual tax savings. For example, if your $350,000 home is overassessed by $50,000, a successful appeal could save you approximately $235 per year. National statistics show that about 25% of homes are overassessed by an average of $1,346 annually.
What evidence do I need for a successful Rutherford County property tax appeal?
For a successful appeal in Rutherford County, you'll need concrete evidence proving your property is overvalued. The most effective evidence includes recent sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood (within the last year), a professional appraisal, photos documenting any property condition issues or needed repairs, contractor estimates for necessary repairs, and any documentation showing errors in the assessor's records such as incorrect square footage or room count. The Board of Equalization will not consider general complaints about rising taxes or personal financial hardship.
Can I appeal my property taxes online in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County does not currently offer a fully online property tax appeal process. However, you can initiate your appeal by emailing [email protected] or by using the online property search tool at https://secured.rutherfordcountytn.gov/propertydata/ to verify your property information. The actual appeal process requires either a phone call to(615) 898-7750, an in-person visit, or mailed correspondence to start the informal review. For the formal Board of Equalization hearing, you must appear in person at the Assessor's Office.
What if I disagree with the Rutherford County Board of Equalization's decision on my appeal?
If the County Board of Equalization denies your appeal, you have two additional options. First, you can appeal to the Tennessee State Board of Equalization, but you must file by August 1st or within 45 days of receiving the County Board's decision notice, whichever is later. There is a state fee for this appeal based on your property value. If the State Board also denies your appeal, your final option is to file suit in Davidson County Chancery Court within 60 days of the State Board's final decision. Each level requires increasingly detailed documentation and may benefit from professional representation.

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

Davidson County (Nashville)Hamilton County (Chattanooga)Knox County (Knoxville)Shelby County (Memphis)Sumner County (Hendersonville)Williamson County (Franklin)
← All Tennessee property tax appeal info

Sources: https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/assessor | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/tennessee/rutherford-county | https://rcpatn.com/ | https://www.tax-rates.org/tennessee/rutherford_county_property_tax | https://rctrustee.com/tax-relief

Last verified: 2026-02-15