County and Municipal Government in North Carolina, Second Edition, 2014 (eBook)
The Property Tax
County and Municipal Government in North Carolina
I. Overview / 306
Constitutional Provisions Governing Taxation / 306
For Public Purposes Only / 306
The Power to Exempt and Classify Property / 307
Statewide Application of Exemptions and Classifications / 307
The Uniform Rule Requirement and Service Districts / 308
II. The Machinery Act / 308
Statutes Governing the Administration
of Property Taxes / 308
Steps in the Taxation of Property / 309
The Administrative Structure / 309
Terms and Qualifications of the County Assessor / 310
The Property Tax Calendar / 310
Real Estate Transfers, Prorations, and Annexation / 314
III. Listing and Appraisal of Property / 314
The Listing Process / 314
Role of the City in the Listing Process / 315
Property Not Subject to Taxation: Requests for Tax Relief / 316
Appraisal / 316
Statutory Elements of Value / 316
Market-Value Standard / 316
Taxability of All Rights in Land / 316
Use-Value Appraisal of Farmlands / 317
Personal Property / 317
Real Property / 317
Appraisal Techniques / 317
Mass Appraisal of Real Property / 318
Development of an Appraisal Manual for
Establishing Market Value / 318
Development of a Present-Use Value Schedule / 318
Approval of the Manuals / 319
Preparation of Record Cards / 319
Appraisal of Property / 319
Notice to Property Owners / 319
Formal Appraisal and Assessment / 320
Appeal and Review / 320
Valuation Appeals / 320
Adjustment of Real Property Values in
Nonreappraisal Years / 320
Discovered Property / 321
IV. Special Classes of Property / 321
Registered Motor Vehicles / 321
The “Old” Process / 322
The “New” Process / 322
Public Service Company Property / 323
V. The Collection of Property Taxes / 323
Office of Tax Collector / 323
Qualification as Tax Collector / 324
Removal of the Tax Collector / 324
Deputy Tax Collectors / 324
Necessary Collection Records / 325
Reports of Progress in Collection / 325
Tax Due Dates: Periods Covered / 325
Order of Collection / 325
The Property Tax Lien / 326
Payment of Taxes / 327
Discounts / 327
Interest for Late Payment of Taxes / 328
Report of Delinquent Taxes and Lien Advertisements / 328
Report of Delinquent Taxes Constituting Liens on Realty / 328
Time and Place of Lien Advertisement / 328
Enforced Collection of Property Taxes / 328
Foreclosure / 328
Enforcement against Personal Property: Levy and Sale / 329
Enforcement against Personal Property:
Attachment and Garnishment / 329
Reduction, Release, and Refund of Property Taxes / 329
Clerical Error Defined / 330
What Is an Illegal Tax? / 330
When Is a Tax Imposed for an Illegal Purpose? / 330
Time Limitation on Refunds and Releases / 330
Settlements / 331
Insolvents / 331
Form of Settlement / 332
Charges / 332
Credits / 332
Additional Resources / 332
About the Author / 332