Tuscaloosa Property Tax Lookup

Tuscaloosa property tax records are managed by Tuscaloosa County. The county Tax Collector handles all bills and payments for properties in this university city.

Property Taxes in Tuscaloosa Are Handled by the County

In Alabama, cities do not assess or collect property taxes. That is a county job. Tuscaloosa property owners get their tax bills from Tuscaloosa County. The city may set its own millage rate, but the county does the work of calculating your tax and taking your payment. This is how it works across all of Alabama.

Tuscaloosa County has a split system. The Tax Assessor and Tax Collector are separate offices. Leigh Ann Fair is the Tax Assessor, and Susan Jones is the Tax Collector. You deal with the Tax Assessor for value questions and exemptions. You deal with the Tax Collector for bills and payments. Both offices are in the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse.

Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. The university campus is tax exempt, so it does not pay property tax. This means a large chunk of land in the city does not contribute to the tax base. Other property owners make up the difference. The city has rebuilt much of its tax base since the 2011 tornado that destroyed parts of the area.

Tuscaloosa County Tax Collector Office

The Tax Collector sends out property tax bills and takes payments for Tuscaloosa. Susan Jones is the Tax Collector. Her office handles billing, payment processing, and delinquent tax collection. If you have questions about your bill or need to pay, this is the office to contact.

The courthouse is in downtown Tuscaloosa. Street parking is limited, but there are public lots nearby. The office closes for state holidays and may have shorter hours during the summer. Call ahead if you plan to visit to make sure the office is open.

Tuscaloosa County Tax Assessor Office

The Tax Assessor handles property valuations for Tuscaloosa. Leigh Ann Fair is the Tax Assessor. Her office determines what your property is worth for tax purposes. If you think your value is wrong or want to apply for an exemption, contact this office.

Tuscaloosa County has an online portal where you can search property records. The site shows owner names, addresses, parcel numbers, and assessed values. You can also see building details and tax amounts. The portal is free to use and does not require an account for basic searches.

How to Search Property Tax Records in Tuscaloosa

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

To search Tuscaloosa property tax records, you can use:

• Owner name (last name first)
• Property address or street name
• 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 info like square footage and year built. The data is updated regularly.

For certified copies, contact the Tax Collector or Tax Assessor office. The online portal is good for looking up info, but official copies must come from the county office. There may be a fee for certified copies of property tax records in Tuscaloosa.

How to Pay Property Taxes in Tuscaloosa

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

You can pay Tuscaloosa property taxes in these ways:

• Online at the county website
• In person at the Tax Collector office
• By mail with a check
• Through your mortgage escrow

Online payments may have a service fee for credit cards. Check the website for current fees. In-person payments can be cash, check, or card. Bring your tax bill or parcel number. The office gets busy in December, so try to pay early to avoid long waits.

If you miss the deadline, interest starts right away. Continued non-payment leads to tax liens. The county holds tax lien sales each year for properties with unpaid taxes. Contact the Tax Collector if you need help setting up a payment plan in Tuscaloosa.

Property Assessment in Tuscaloosa

Alabama uses a three-class system for property assessment. Most homes in Tuscaloosa 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 how the math works. If your home in Tuscaloosa has a market value of $200,000, the assessed value is $20,000 (that is 10%). The county then applies the millage rate. If your total millage is 58 mills, your tax would be $1,160. The formula is: assessed value times millage rate.

Tuscaloosa 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.

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

Property Tax Exemptions in Tuscaloosa

Several exemptions can lower your property tax in Tuscaloosa. 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.

Tuscaloosa 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 Tax Assessor office. Bring proof of ownership and supporting documents. For seniors, bring ID showing your date of birth. 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 Tuscaloosa property is valued too high, you can appeal. Start by contacting the Tax Assessor office. Ask how they got your value. Check that the property details are correct. Errors in square footage or lot size can affect your assessment.

If you still disagree, file an appeal with the Tuscaloosa 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 data, 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. A professional appraisal can help your case. If your property has damage or issues, bring photos. The board reviews all evidence before making a decision on your Tuscaloosa property tax appeal.

Tuscaloosa County Property Tax Records

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

View Tuscaloosa County Property Tax Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Tuscaloosa and also have property tax info on this site. Each uses its county's tax system.