This guide helps users handle a property tax need in Sussex County, Delaware, including tax record lookup, bill payment, due dates, billing support, and assistance programs.
Sussex County Citizen Self Service is the main online path for real estate property tax records and payment details, while the Sussex County Billing Division handles account questions, payoff information, exemptions, and billing support.
Sussex County Real Estate Property Taxes
Use the Sussex County Citizen Self Service real estate tax tool to search tax records, view payment information, and check current owner, zoning, and sales information. For past due accounts, not all bills or charges may be visible online, so contact the Billing Division for a payoff before relying on the balance shown.
- Owner name, entered as last name first name with a space after the last name
- Parcel ID, which is the same as the property tax ID number on the bill
- Tax year
After you have the search details ready, use the official portal and review the parcel record carefully before making a payment or contacting the county.
- Open search Sussex County real estate property taxes.
- Choose an owner name or Parcel ID search.
- Enter the tax year and any required search value.
- Review the property tax record, bill status, and payment information shown for the parcel.
Past due account note: if an account is past due, call the Billing Division for a payoff because every charge may not display online.
Tax bill payment options
Sussex County accepts tax bill payments online, by phone, by mail, and in person. Online card and e-check payments use different processing fees, so review the payment method before submitting.
| Payment method | How it works | Fee or note |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Use the Sussex County Self Service site for payment. | Credit and debit card payments have a 3% service fee with a $2.50 minimum. e-check payments have a $1.00 processing fee. |
| Phone | Call the Integrated Voice Response payment line at (866) 791-9802. | Phone payments are processed by Govolution and are subject to a 2.52% service fee. |
| Make a check, money order, or cashier’s check payable to Sussex County and write the property ID number on the payment. | Mail tax bill payments with the payment voucher to Sussex County Finance Department, Treasury Division, PO Box 601, Georgetown, DE 19947. | |
| In person | Pay during regular business hours at the County Treasury office. | The office is in the Sussex County Administrative Office Building, 1st Floor, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947. |
For county payment instructions across tax, utility, and connection charges, use review Sussex County payment options.
Property tax due dates
Annual tax bills are available August 1 and due September 30. Supplemental bills follow separate schedules during the tax year.
| Bill or program | Availability | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Over 65/Disability Exemption Applications | January 1 | April 30 |
| Annual Tax Bill | August 1 | September 30 |
| Supplemental I | October | December 31 |
| Supplemental II | January | March 31 |
| Supplemental III | April | June 30 |
| State 65 Exemptions | Yearly | April 30 |
| Subsidy Program | July through September | September 30 |
The annual tax period shown for 2025 is July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with taxes due by September 30, 2025. County interest is listed at 1.5% per month, and state interest is listed at 1.0% per month.
For the county’s due date chart, visit check Sussex County property tax due dates.
Billing, refunds, and address changes
The Billing and Collections Division bills taxes, sanitary sewer and water districts, and other county invoices. It also works on delinquent accounts, payment plans, account research, adjustments, and collection matters.
Use the county’s billing resources when a tax bill looks incorrect, a refund is needed, or a mailing address must be updated. Address changes for real estate taxes are handled by the Tax Office, while mobile homes and capitation tax address changes are handled by the Assessment Office.
- For a refund, complete the Refund Request form and include supporting documents such as a payment receipt or cancelled check.
- For a billing address change, use the Change of Billing Address form and allow manual review before the change is reflected.
- For ownership changes after a sale, contact the Assessment Office.
The county states that billing address changes are usually completed within five business days, but may take longer during peak periods.
Tax assistance and exemptions
Sussex County lists several property tax assistance and credit options, each with its own filing period and eligibility rules. Some programs require residency, income limits, disability status, age, or a full-time primary residence.
| Program | Key filing detail | Selected eligibility note |
|---|---|---|
| State Senior Citizen School Property Tax Credit | Statewide deadline is April 30. | Must be a full-time, primary residence; newer Delaware domicile rules apply for residents establishing domicile on or after January 1, 2018. |
| Exemption for Disabled | Filing date is January 1 through April 30. | Requires total disability and full-time Sussex County residency for the preceding five years as of the current tax year. |
| Exemption for Residents Over 65 | Filing date is January 1 through April 30. | Requires age 65 by June 30 of the current tax year and full-time Sussex County residency for the preceding five years as of July 1. |
| Sussex County Property Tax Subsidy | Filing date is July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. | Applies to the county portion of tax only and requires re-application each year. |
| Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit | Statewide deadline is April 30. | Requires total disability and full-time primary Delaware residency for the preceding three years as of July 1 of the current tax year. |
Credits and exemptions are non-transferable when property is sold. Sussex County also states that applications will not be approved unless taxes, user fees, sewer service charges, and other amounts due to or collectible by the county have been paid in full for all parcels owned by the applicant before the application deadline.
To review county program details, visit review Sussex County tax assistance programs.
Property tax rates and supplemental bills
Sussex County publishes annual rates by school district, including school tax, Sussex Tech, county tax, library, and total rates per $100 assessment. Rates vary by school district.
For 2025, the annual rates page lists the tax period as July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. It also explains the three supplemental bill periods for construction: Supplemental I for July 1 through September 30, Supplemental II for October 1 through December 31, and Supplemental III for January 1 through March 31.
Use view Sussex County annual tax rates to compare the rate table by school district.
Sussex County property tax contacts
Use these county contacts for tax records, bills, current or delinquent property taxes, exemptions, payment questions, and assessment-related issues.
-
Sussex County Billing Division, Sussex County Administrative Office Building, 3rd Floor, 2 The Circle, P.O. Box 601, Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 855-7871
Fax: (302) 854-5381 -
Manager of Billing and Collections Katrina Mears, Sussex County Administrative Office Bldg., PO Box 601, 2 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 855-7871
Fax: (302) 854-5381 -
Property Taxes - Current
Phone: (302) 855-7871 -
Property - Delinquent/Partial Payments
Phone: (302) 855-7831 -
Assessment Inquiries
Phone: (302) 855-7824 -
Property Transfers and Manufactured Homes
Phone: (302) 855-7824 -
Tax Office
Phone: (302) 855-7760
Common questions
Where can I search Sussex County real estate property taxes online?
Use Sussex County Citizen Self Service to search real estate property taxes by owner name, Parcel ID, and tax year. The Parcel ID is the same as the property tax ID number on the bill.
What should I do if my Sussex County tax account is past due?
For past due accounts, call the Billing Division at (302) 855-7871 for a payoff because not all bills or charges may be visible online.
When are Sussex County annual property tax bills due?
Annual tax bills are due September 30. Supplemental I bills are due December 31, Supplemental II bills are due March 31, and Supplemental III bills are due June 30.
Can I pay a Sussex County property tax bill by credit card?
Yes. Sussex County accepts most major credit cards for tax payments online or in person. Online credit and debit card payments are subject to a 3% service fee with a $2.50 minimum.
Who handles Sussex County property tax billing questions?
The Sussex County Billing Division handles billing support, tax bill questions, exemptions, current property taxes, and payoff information. The main billing phone number is (302) 855-7871.
How do I change the mailing address for a Sussex County property tax bill?
Submit a Change of Billing Address request. Real estate tax address changes are handled by the Tax Office, and the county says updates are usually completed within five business days.
What happens if I do not receive my Sussex County tax bill?
Contact the Billing Office at (302) 855-7871. The county states that failure to receive a tax bill does not remove the property owner’s responsibility to pay on time.