Birmingham Property Tax Records

Birmingham property tax records are managed by Jefferson County. The county Tax Collector office handles all tax bills and payments for properties in the city.

Property Taxes in Birmingham Are Handled by Jefferson County

In Alabama, property taxes are a county matter, not a city one. Birmingham does not have its own tax office. If you own property in Birmingham, your tax bill comes from Jefferson County. The county figures out what you owe and collects the payment. This is true for all cities in Alabama, not just Birmingham.

Jefferson County has separate offices for assessment and collection. The Tax Assessor determines property values. The Tax Collector sends bills and takes payments. Both offices are in the Jefferson County Courthouse in downtown Birmingham. The Tax Assessor, Gaynell Hendricks, made history as the first African American and first woman to hold that post in Jefferson County. Her office recently finished a major resurvey of all properties, the first in 75 years.

Birmingham property owners pay millage to the state, county, school district, and city. Each one sets its own rate. The rates get added together to make your total millage. Then that total is applied to your assessed value. Jefferson County has some of the highest property tax rates in Alabama because of its size and the services it provides.

Jefferson County Tax Collector Office

The Tax Collector office sends out property tax bills and takes payments for Birmingham. This is where you go if you have questions about your bill or need to make a payment. The main office is in the Jefferson County Courthouse. There is also a Bessemer office for the west side of the county, but Birmingham residents use the main location.

The courthouse has a security check at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID and leave large bags at home. Street parking has meters, and there are paid garages nearby. The office can get crowded near the December deadline, so plan to arrive early if you visit in person during that time.

Jefferson County Tax Assessor Office

The Tax Assessor office handles property valuations for Birmingham. If you think your property is valued too high, this is the office to contact. They also process exemptions that can lower your tax bill. The Tax Assessor and Tax Collector work together but have different jobs in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County has an online property search tool where you can look up any property in Birmingham. The site shows the parcel number, owner name, address, and tax info. You can search by name, address, or parcel ID. The data is free to view, and you do not need an account. For certified copies, you must contact the office directly.

How to Search Property Tax Records in Birmingham

Jefferson County has a free online portal for searching property tax records. Go to eringcapture.jccal.org to start your search. You can find any property in Birmingham by owner name, street address, or parcel number. The site works on computers and phones.

To search Birmingham property tax records, you can use:

• Owner name (last name first)
• Street address or partial address
• Parcel ID number
• Legal description

The search results show basic info. Click on a result to see the full property record. The detail page shows the assessed value, tax amount, exemptions, and building details. You can also see a map of the parcel and its boundaries. Jefferson County updates this data regularly, so the info is usually current.

For older records or certified copies, contact the Tax Collector office. The online portal shows current and recent years, but the office has records going back further. You may need to visit in person or submit a written request for historical property tax records in Birmingham.

How to Pay Property Taxes in Birmingham

Property taxes in Birmingham are due on October 1 each year. You have until December 31 to pay without penalty. After that date, the county adds interest and fees. The Tax Collector sends bills in the fall, but you can pay early if you know your amount. The online portal shows what you owe.

You can pay Birmingham property taxes in these ways:

• Online at the county website with a card or e-check
• In person at the Tax Collector office
• By mail with a check or money order
• Through escrow if your mortgage company pays

Online payments with a credit card have a service fee. E-check payments have a lower fee or no fee at all. The county website shows the exact fees before you pay. If you visit in person, bring your tax bill or your parcel number. Staff can look up your account and take payment by cash, check, or card.

If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact the Tax Collector office right away. They may offer a payment plan for Birmingham property owners who are behind. Unpaid taxes can lead to a tax lien sale, where the county sells the right to collect the debt. This can put your home at risk, so do not ignore your bill.

Property Assessment in Birmingham

Alabama has a three-class system for property assessment. Your tax rate depends on how the property is used. Most homes in Birmingham fall under Class III, which is assessed at 10% of market value. Commercial property is Class II at 20%. Utilities and certain other properties are Class I at 30%.

Here is an example. If your home in Birmingham has a fair market value of $150,000, the assessed value is $15,000 (that is 10% of market value). The county then multiplies the assessed value by the total millage rate. If the millage is 80 mills, your tax would be $1,200. The math is: $15,000 times 0.080 equals $1,200.

Jefferson County reappraises properties on a four-year cycle. The Tax Assessor recently completed a countywide resurvey that updated all property records. This was the first full review in over 75 years. The goal is to make sure all properties are valued fairly under Code of Alabama Section 40-7-1.

Starting in 2025, a new state law caps assessment increases at 7% per year. This comes from Act 2024-344. Even if your property value jumps by more than 7% in one year, your assessment can only go up by 7%. This helps protect Birmingham homeowners from sudden large increases in their tax bills.

Property Tax Exemptions in Birmingham

You may qualify for exemptions that lower your property tax bill in Birmingham. The homestead exemption is the most common. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-9-19, homeowners who live in their home as a primary residence can reduce their taxable value.

These exemptions are available to Birmingham property owners:

• Homestead exemption for your main home
• Senior exemption for age 65 and up
• Disability exemption with proof of disability
• Veteran exemption for qualifying veterans
• Current use exemption for agricultural land

To apply, visit the Tax Assessor office in Jefferson County. Bring your deed or closing papers plus any documents that prove you qualify. For the senior exemption, bring your ID. For disability, bring your Social Security or VA award letter. You apply once, and the exemption stays on your property as long as you qualify and own the home.

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

If you think your Birmingham property is valued too high, you can appeal. Start by contacting the Tax Assessor office. Ask for a breakdown of how they valued your property. Sometimes there is a simple error, like wrong square footage or a missing bedroom. Fixing the error may lower your value without a formal appeal.

If you still disagree, file an appeal with the Jefferson County Board of Equalization. Under Code of Alabama Section 40-3-24, property owners have the right to challenge their assessment. You must file within the deadline, which is usually a few weeks after you get your notice.

The appeal process in Jefferson County includes these steps:

• File a written appeal with the Board of Equalization
• Gather evidence (sales data, appraisals, photos)
• Attend a hearing to make your case
• Get a decision from the board
• If you lose, you can appeal to circuit court

Be ready to show why your value is wrong. Recent sales of similar homes nearby are strong evidence. A professional appraisal can also help. If your property has damage or other issues that affect value, bring photos. The board will consider all the facts before making a decision on your Birmingham property tax appeal.

Jefferson County Property Tax Records

Birmingham is in Jefferson County, and all property tax matters go through the county offices. Jefferson County is the most populous in Alabama and has over 35 cities and towns. For more on county tax rates, office locations, and other resources, visit the Jefferson County property tax records page.

View Jefferson County Property Tax Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Birmingham and also have property tax info on this site. Hoover is partly in Jefferson County and partly in Shelby County. Each city has different millage rates, but all taxes go through the county.