Where Do I Find My Real Estate Taxes?

Knowing the amount of your real estate taxes is an important part of managing your housing costs. This figure is a component of your annual budget, a potential deduction on your federal income tax return, and also affects the monthly payment for homeowners with a mortgage. Understanding where to find this information allows you to verify payments, plan for future expenses, and claim the proper deductions.

Information Needed to Locate Your Property Tax Records

Before you can find your tax liability, you must gather identifying information for your property. The most important piece of data is the Property Parcel Number. This unique identifier is assigned by the local taxing authority and may also be called an Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), Parcel ID, or Account Number.

The most reliable place to find your parcel number is on a previous property tax bill or your annual assessment notice, where it is displayed near the top of the document. If you are a new homeowner or cannot locate a past bill, your property deed or title insurance policy from closing will contain this number.

While the parcel number offers the most direct route, you can also initiate a search using the full property address. Using the owner’s full name is another search parameter, but it is the least precise method. For the most accurate results, starting with the parcel number is the recommended approach.

Using Official Government Resources

The most direct way to find your real estate tax information is through your local government’s tax office. Most county or municipal tax assessors maintain an online database accessible to the public. To begin, navigate to the official website for the tax authority where the property is located and look for a “Property Search” or “Record Search” section.

Once you locate the search tool, you will be prompted to enter your identifying information. Entering the Property Parcel Number will take you directly to your property’s detailed tax record. The resulting record shows a multi-year history of tax assessments, billed amounts, payment status, and any exemptions applied to the property.

If you are unable to find the information online, you can contact the tax assessor’s office directly. A phone call may be sufficient, but you must have your parcel number or full property address ready. For more complex issues, such as questions about assessments or exemptions, a visit in person may be necessary.

Checking Your Personal and Loan Documents

Your financial records are another source for real estate tax information. If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, your lender collects property taxes as part of your monthly payment. Your monthly mortgage statement provides a summary of this escrow activity, while the most comprehensive information is on your annual escrow analysis statement.

Homeowners receive an official property tax bill directly from their local taxing authority. This document is mailed annually or semi-annually and contains a complete breakdown of your tax liability. It will state the total tax due, the assessment period it covers, payment due dates, and a list of the taxing jurisdictions, such as the county, city, and school district.

For those who have recently purchased a home, the Closing Disclosure form is another source. This form provides a detailed accounting of the real estate transaction. Within the “Prorations/Adjustments” section, you will find line items for taxes, showing the amount credited or debited between the buyer and seller for the year of the sale.