Auburn Property Tax Records

Auburn property tax records are managed by Lee County. The county Revenue Commissioner handles all assessments, bills, and payments for this fast-growing university city.

Property Taxes in Auburn Are Handled by Lee County

In Alabama, cities do not assess or collect property taxes. That is a county job. If you own property in Auburn, your tax bill comes from Lee County. The city may set its own millage rate, but the county does the work. The Revenue Commissioner figures out what you owe and takes your payment.

Lee County uses a combined office called the Revenue Commissioner. Oline W. Price holds this position. Her office handles both assessment and collection duties. This makes things simpler for Auburn property owners because you deal with one office for all tax matters instead of two.

Auburn is the fastest-growing city in Alabama. Home to Auburn University, the city has seen rapid development in recent years. The university campus is tax exempt, which means the school does not pay property tax. Other property owners in Auburn make up the difference. Growth has brought new homes and businesses, which helps expand the tax base.

Lee County Revenue Commissioner Office

The Revenue Commissioner handles all property tax matters for Auburn. Oline W. Price is the Revenue Commissioner. Her office assesses property values, processes exemptions, sends bills, and takes payments. The main office is in the Lee County Courthouse in Opelika, the county seat.

The Opelika office is about 10 miles from downtown Auburn. There is parking at the courthouse. The office closes for state holidays. During the busy fall season, wait times can be longer. Use the online portal if you just need to look up info or pay your bill.

How to Search Property Tax Records in Auburn

Lee County has an online portal for searching property tax records. Go to leecountyrevenuecommissioner.com to start your search. You can look up any property in Auburn by owner name, address, or parcel number.

To search Auburn property tax records, use:

• Owner name (last name first)
• Property address or street
• Parcel ID number
• Map and lot info

The search results show basic property info. Click on a result to see the full record. The detail page has the assessed value, market value, tax amount, and any exemptions. You can also see building details like square footage and construction year.

For certified copies, contact the Revenue Commissioner office. The online portal is free for lookups, but official copies require a request to the county. There may be a fee for certified copies of property tax records in Auburn.

How to Pay Property Taxes in Auburn

Property taxes in Auburn are due on October 1 each year. You have until December 31 to pay without penalty. After that, Lee County adds interest and fees. Bills go out in the fall, but you can pay early if you know your amount.

You can pay Auburn property taxes in these ways:

• Online at the county website
• In person at the Revenue Commissioner office in Opelika
• By mail with a check
• Through your mortgage escrow

Online credit card payments have a service fee. E-check may be free or have a lower fee. Check the website for current rates. In-person payments can be cash, check, or card. Bring your tax bill or parcel number so staff can find your account.

Missing the deadline triggers interest. Continued non-payment leads to tax liens and possible sale of your property. Lee County holds tax lien sales for properties with unpaid taxes. Contact the Revenue Commissioner if you need help with a payment plan in Auburn.

Property Assessment in Auburn

Alabama uses three classes for property assessment. Most homes in Auburn are Class III, assessed at 10% of market value. Commercial property is Class II at 20%. Utilities are Class I at 30%. Your class determines your assessment rate.

Here is an example. If your home in Auburn has a market value of $250,000, the assessed value is $25,000 (that is 10%). The county then applies the millage rate. If your total millage is 50 mills, your tax would be $1,250. The formula is: assessed value times millage rate.

Lee County reappraises properties on a regular cycle. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-7-1, the county must keep values fair and equal. Your value may change based on sales in your area or improvements you make to your property.

A new state law in 2025 caps assessment increases at 7% per year. Even if Auburn home prices rise faster, your assessment can only go up by 7% in one year. This protects homeowners from sudden big jumps in their tax bills.

Property Tax Exemptions in Auburn

Several exemptions can lower your property tax in Auburn. The homestead exemption is the most common. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-9-19, homeowners who live in their home can reduce their taxable value.

Auburn property owners may qualify for:

• Homestead exemption for primary residence
• Senior exemption for age 65 and over
• Disability exemption with proof
• Veteran exemption for certain veterans
• Current use for farm or timber land

To apply, visit the Revenue Commissioner office in Opelika. Bring proof of ownership and supporting documents. For seniors, bring ID with your birth date. For disability, bring your award letter. Once approved, the exemption stays on your property until you sell or no longer qualify.

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

If you think your Auburn property is valued too high, you can appeal. Start by contacting the Revenue Commissioner office. Ask how they got your value. Check that the property details are correct, like lot size and building square footage.

If you still disagree, file an appeal with the Lee County Board of Equalization. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-3-24, you have the right to challenge your assessment.

The appeal process works like this:

• File a written appeal by the deadline
• Gather evidence (sales comps, appraisal, photos)
• Attend a hearing to present your case
• Get a decision from the board
• If you lose, appeal to circuit court

Good evidence includes recent sales of similar homes in Auburn. A professional appraisal can help. If your property has damage or issues, bring photos. The board looks at all facts before deciding. Contact the Revenue Commissioner for appeal deadlines in Lee County.

Lee County Property Tax Records

Auburn is in Lee County. All property tax matters for the city go through the county Revenue Commissioner in Opelika. For more on county tax rates, exemptions, and resources, visit the Lee County property tax records page.

View Lee County Property Tax Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Auburn and also have property tax info on this site.