This page helps with property tax tasks in New Hanover County, North Carolina, including searching property records, viewing or paying tax bills, checking deadlines, and finding the right Tax Administration contact.
The New Hanover County Tax Department handles listing, mapping, assessment, billing, and collection of ad valorem taxes. Use the official property assessment website for record details and the county payment portal for bill payment options.
New Hanover County property assessment website
Use the New Hanover County property assessment website to review assessed values and property data for residential property, commercial property, and personal property, excluding registered motor vehicles. The site states that real estate assessed values are as of January 1, 2021, while property characteristics and ownership information, including sale dates and prices, are updated weekly.
- Owner name
- Address
- Parcel ID
- Advanced search details, when needed
Start with the New Hanover County property records search, then use the “Property Records” tab to search by the information you have.
- Open the property assessment website.
- Select the “Property Records” tab.
- Search by owner name, address, parcel ID, or advanced search options.
- Review the record carefully, especially ownership, property characteristics, assessed value, and sale information.
Check records with care: online tax and map information is provided for public convenience and may not reflect every recent change to official tax records.
Property record limits and map notes
The property assessment website includes assessment records and maps, but the maps are informational only. They are not legal descriptions and should not be used to determine precise parcel boundaries.
Parcel lines and aerial imagery may not align exactly. The orthophotography was acquired in 2021, so development after that time may not appear in the imagery. Precise parcel boundary questions should be resolved through deeds, survey plats, and a licensed surveyor.
If you believe the property data is inaccurate, contact the Tax Administration office so staff can route the issue to the appraiser for the area.
Tax bills and payment options
New Hanover County offers online bill viewing and payment for real estate and personal property tax bills. The payment portal allows one-time payments without registration and also supports registered features such as Autopay, Paperless, and Pay-By-Text.
Use the New Hanover County pay or view bills portal to pay online or view available bill payment options. You can also pay by phone through the automated service at (877) 309-0878.
The Tax Office accepts several payment methods:
- In person at 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
- By mail with the return coupon to New Hanover County Tax Office, PO Box 580070, Charlotte, NC 28258
- By mail without a payment stub to New Hanover County Tax Office, PO Box 18000, Wilmington, NC 28406
- Secure drop box to the right of the main entrance at the Government Center complex
- Online through Invoice Cloud
- By phone at (877) 309-0878
Payment fees and due dates
Property taxes are due September 1 and may be paid without interest through January 5. If January 5 falls on a weekend, payments may be made without interest on the next business day.
The following fees apply to online or phone payment options:
| Payment type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Credit card or debit card | 2.85% of the dollar amount, with a $0.95 minimum |
| Electronic check / ACH / EFT | $0.95 |
| Automated phone payment | Additional $1.00 surcharge |
Have your bill information ready when paying online or by phone so the payment is credited correctly.
Real property assessments and revaluation
New Hanover County real property includes land and attached improvements such as homes, outbuildings, decks, piers, docks, and bulkheads. Single-wide and double-wide mobile homes are treated as real property when the tongue and axles have been removed.
Real property is permanently listed, so owners do not list the same real property every year. New improvements made in the previous year must be listed during January. If you made improvements and did not receive an abstract, you may request a form from the Tax Administrator’s office.
New Hanover County conducts real property revaluation every four years. The current revaluation has an effective date of January 1, 2025, and the next scheduled revaluation is effective January 1, 2029.
Appealing a property value
Property owners may appeal a real or personal property value. For the 2026 tax year, appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review must be received electronically or postmarked by the adjournment date, and the deadline listed for 2026 is 5:00 p.m. on May 14, 2026.
Appeals should include evidence that supports the requested value review. Useful support may include comparable sales before January 1, 2025, photographs, property condition details, or an appraisal with an effective date before January 1, 2025.
Commercial property appeals may require more detailed support, including income and expense statements, rent rolls, comparable sales, an appraisal, photographs, or other property-specific evidence for the relevant period before January 1, 2025.
Tax relief and deferment programs
New Hanover County lists several property tax relief, exclusion, exemption, and deferment options. The elderly or disabled homestead exclusion requires a one-time initial application by June 1 of the application year. The exclusion amount is the greater of $25,000 or 50% of the assessed value of the home and up to one acre of land.
The disabled veteran homestead exclusion applies to $45,000 of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by an eligible disabled veteran or qualifying unmarried surviving spouse. The application deadline is June 1, and there is no age or income requirement for that program.
The homestead circuit breaker deferment requires an annual application by June 1 and is for qualifying North Carolina residents who meet the homestead exclusion qualifications and have owned and occupied the residence for at least five consecutive years as of January 1.
Delinquent real estate tax data
New Hanover County provides ten years of delinquent real estate tax data in Excel and CSV spreadsheet formats. The delinquent real estate lists are updated on or about the first business day of each month.
The current files listed by the county are from June 2026. Users should review the county disclaimer and understand that county data is provided without a warranty of accuracy or completeness.
Business personal property
Businesses must complete and submit a business personal property listing form each year. The regular listing period is January 1 through January 31, and a 10% late listing penalty is added for property not listed before the end of January.
Business personal property includes machinery, computer and office equipment, furniture, supplies, farm equipment, and similar property. For 2026, the deadline to submit a listing form with an approved extension is April 15, 2026.
Personal property appeals may be filed for value, situs, or taxability within 30 days after the date of the initial notice of value on the property tax bill.
New Hanover County property tax contacts
Use these contacts for property tax records, assessments, payments, collections, appeals, and related tax questions.
-
Tax Department, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190, Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: (910) 798-7300
Fax: (910) 798-7807
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays -
Tax Collections Division
Phone: (910) 798-7300
Fax: (910) 798-7807
Email: [email protected] -
Personal Property Tax Division
Phone: (910) 798-7300
Fax: (910) 798-7807 -
Revaluation Team
Phone: (910) 798-7300
Email: [email protected]
Common questions
Where can I search New Hanover County property tax records?
Use the New Hanover County property assessment website and select the “Property Records” tab. You can search by owner name, address, parcel ID, or advanced search details.
Can I pay New Hanover County property taxes online?
Yes. The county’s Invoice Cloud portal allows online viewing and payment of real estate and personal property tax bills, including one-time payment without registration.
When are New Hanover County property taxes due?
Property taxes are due September 1. They may be paid without interest until January 5, or the next business day if January 5 falls on a weekend.
What should I do if the property record looks wrong?
Contact the Tax Department at (910) 798-7300 or [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) so staff can help route the issue to the proper appraiser.
Are the online maps legal property descriptions?
No. The maps are for informational use only and are not legal descriptions. Precise boundary determinations must be made by a licensed surveyor using deeds or survey plats.
What is the deadline for a 2026 property value appeal?
The 2026 Board of Equalization and Review appeal deadline is 5:00 p.m. on May 14, 2026.
Does New Hanover County offer property tax relief for seniors, disabled taxpayers, or disabled veterans?
Yes. Listed programs include the elderly or disabled homestead exclusion, disabled veteran homestead exclusion, and homestead circuit breaker deferment. Application deadlines include June 1 for these programs.
How often does New Hanover County revalue real property?
The county follows a four-year revaluation cycle. The current revaluation is effective January 1, 2025, and the next scheduled revaluation is effective January 1, 2029.