Decatur Property Tax Records

Decatur property tax records are managed by Morgan County. The Revenue Commissioner handles all assessments, bills, and payments for this Tennessee River industrial city.

Property Taxes in Decatur Are Handled by Morgan County

In Alabama, cities do not assess or collect property taxes. That job falls to the county. If you own property in Decatur, your tax bill comes from Morgan County. The city may add its own millage rate, but the county does the work. The Revenue Commissioner figures out your value, sends your bill, and takes your payment.

Morgan County uses a combined office called the Revenue Commissioner. Amanda G. Scott holds this position and has served since 1996. Her office handles both assessment and collection duties. This makes things easier for Decatur property owners since you deal with one office for all tax matters.

Morgan County collects about $62 million in property taxes each year. Decatur is the county seat and the largest city. The area has major employers like 3M and Daikin, which contribute to the commercial tax base. Decatur sits on the Tennessee River and has long been an industrial hub in north Alabama.

Morgan County Revenue Commissioner Office

The Revenue Commissioner handles all property tax matters for Decatur. Amanda G. Scott has been Revenue Commissioner since 1996. Her office assesses values, processes exemptions, sends bills, and takes payments. The office is in downtown Decatur on Lee Street.

The office is in the heart of downtown Decatur. Street parking is available, and there are city lots nearby. The office closes for state holidays. Call ahead if you are not sure about hours on a specific day.

How to Search Property Tax Records in Decatur

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

To search Decatur property tax records, use:

• Owner name (last name first)
• Property address or street
• Parcel ID number
• Map and section 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 exemptions. You can also see building details like square footage and year built.

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

How to Pay Property Taxes in Decatur

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

You can pay Decatur property taxes in these ways:

• Online at the county website
• In person at the Revenue Commissioner office
• 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 bill or parcel number so staff can find your account.

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

Property Assessment in Decatur

Alabama uses three classes for property assessment. Most homes in Decatur 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 Decatur has a market value of $175,000, the assessed value is $17,500 (that is 10%). The county then applies the millage rate to get your tax. Morgan County has moderate millage rates compared to other parts of the state.

Morgan 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 changes to your property.

A new state law in 2025 caps assessment increases at 7% per year. Even if Decatur 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 Decatur

Several exemptions can lower your property tax in Decatur. 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.

Decatur 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 Decatur. 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 Decatur 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 Morgan 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 Decatur. A professional appraisal can help your case. 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 Morgan County.

Morgan County Property Tax Records

Decatur is the county seat of Morgan County. All property tax matters for the city go through the county Revenue Commissioner. For more on county tax rates, exemptions, and resources, visit the Morgan County property tax records page.

View Morgan County Property Tax Records

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