The Wake County Board of Commissioners voted on June 1 to adopt a $2.28 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The budget includes a 2-cent property tax increase, which will raise the property tax rate to 53.71 cents and generate an additional $62 million. The owner of a $450,000 home will see a $90 increase in their tax bill.
Per local agreement, Wake County bills and collects property tax and various fees for municipal and special districts located within Wake County. Total tax bills will also depend on the tax rates of the municipality or special district within Wake County. Residents are encouraged to reach out to their town government if they have specific questions about how these rates were determined and their adopted budgets.
Taxpayers don’t have to wait for the mail to see their new bills. Property tax bills are available online. Wake County has multiple online payment options including ACH/eCheck, digital wallet options including PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards.
Taxpayers who pay their property tax through their mortgage escrow won’t be mailed a property tax bill and are encouraged to look online or call Wake County Tax Administration if they need more information.
Have a technical question about your tax bill? Email us at taxhelp@wake.gov or call 919-856-5400.
Worried about paying your property tax bill in full by January 5?
Tax Administration can assist residents in setting up short-term payment plans. The sooner residents call, the better their payment options will be. Tax Administration won’t be able to assist if the bill becomes overdue. Taxpayers can avoid interest and additional costs by paying off their balance by January 5, 2027. State law permits past due taxes to be deducted from paychecks, bank accounts or rent.
Prefer to make smaller payments over time? Residents can make partial payments in any amount, as long as the balance is paid in full by January 5. No prior approval is needed for installment payments on current bills.
Every time a payment is made, Tax Administration will send a statement with the remaining balance.
Tax Relief Programs
Need help paying property taxes?
Residents who are:
- 65 or older and living on a low income
- 100% disabled and living on a low income
- A veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability or an unmarried surviving spouse
may qualify for a reduction in their property tax bill through three tax relief programs authorized by the state of North Carolina:
- Senior & Disabled Program
- Tax Deferment
- Disabled Veteran Program
Per state law, the deadline was June 1, but late applications may be accepted for good cause on a case-by-case basis through December 31, 2026. Forgetting or not knowing about the program are typically not valid reasons for lateness. Examples of good cause include physical or mental illness, death of an immediate family member, military deployment or delay in receiving disability certification.