Find Property Tax Records in Etowah County

Etowah County property tax records are kept by the Revenue Commissioner in Gadsden. Search assessed values, tax bills, and payment history online or visit the courthouse.

Etowah County Revenue Commissioner

The Etowah County Revenue Commissioner handles all property tax assessment and collection. Becky Nordgren serves as the current Revenue Commissioner. The office assesses property values, sends out tax bills, collects payments, and maintains records for every parcel in Etowah County. Staff can help you find property records, pay your taxes, or apply for exemptions.

The Revenue Commissioner office is in the Etowah County Courthouse in downtown Gadsden. You can visit during business hours to search records, make payments, or ask questions. Staff can look up any parcel by owner name, address, or parcel number. They can print tax receipts and explain your assessment in Etowah County.

How to Search Etowah County Property Tax Records Online

Etowah County uses the AssuranceGov platform for online property searches. The system is free to use and available around the clock. You can search by owner name, property address, or parcel number. Go to etowahproperty.assurancegov.com to start.

The online system shows detailed property information. You can view the assessed value, tax amount due, and payment history. The site displays property characteristics like lot size, building square footage, and year built. Some parcels have photos of the structures on file in Etowah County.

To search Etowah County property records online, use one of these:

• Owner's last name or business name
• Property street address
• Parcel identification number
• Map and parcel book reference

Basic searches are free. You can view and print property cards at no cost. The site also has GIS mapping that shows parcel boundaries. Click on any parcel to see its tax record. For certified copies, contact the Revenue Commissioner office directly in Etowah County.

Property Assessment in Etowah County

Etowah County follows Alabama law for property assessment. The county uses a three-class system. Homes are assessed at 10% of fair market value. Commercial buildings are assessed at 20%. Utilities pay at 30%. The Revenue Commissioner staff determines fair market value and applies the correct rate for each property.

The county reappraises property on a rolling four-year cycle. Each year, about 25% of the county is reviewed. This means all property is looked at within every four years. Values may change based on sales in your neighborhood, improvements you make, or shifts in the local market in Etowah County.

The 2025 assessment cap protects homeowners from big jumps in taxable value. Act 2024-344 limits increases to 7% per year for primary residences. Even if your market value rises more, your assessed value only goes up 7% until it catches up. This cap resets when the property sells or undergoes major renovation in Etowah County.

Etowah County has a mix of urban, suburban, and rural property. The city of Gadsden has the highest concentration of parcels. Rural areas may qualify for Current Use valuation, which taxes farmland and timberland at lower rates than market value would suggest.

Etowah County Property Tax Rates

Property tax rates in Etowah County depend on location. The county charges one rate, but cities and school districts add their own millage. Your total rate reflects all the taxing authorities for your parcel. A property inside Gadsden pays city millage. A rural property outside any city pays only county and state rates.

The state of Alabama collects 6.5 mills on all property. Etowah County adds millage for county services and schools. The city of Gadsden and other municipalities add their own rates. School districts may also have separate millage for education.

Contact the Revenue Commissioner at (256) 549-8114 for the exact rate on your property in Etowah County. Rates can change each year. The online property search also shows the millage breakdown for each parcel.

How to Pay Etowah County Property Taxes

Etowah County sends tax bills in the fall. Taxes are due October 1 and become delinquent after December 31. Interest and penalties start January 1 if you pay late. The county offers several ways to pay.

Visit the Revenue Commissioner office in the Etowah County Courthouse in Gadsden to pay in person. The office accepts cash, check, and money order. Credit and debit cards may be accepted with a convenience fee. Staff will give you a receipt when you pay.

Online payments are available at etowahproperty.assurancegov.com. Search for your property, then click the payment option. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. A service fee applies to card payments. The system is available 24 hours a day.

Mail payments to Etowah County Revenue Commissioner, 800 Forrest Avenue, Suite 301, Gadsden, AL 35901. Make checks payable to Etowah County Revenue Commissioner. Include your parcel number on the check. Mail early so payment arrives before the deadline in Etowah County.

Property Tax Exemptions in Etowah County

Etowah County offers several exemptions that can reduce your property taxes. These do not apply automatically. You must file an application with the Revenue Commissioner to receive any exemption.

The Homestead Exemption helps all homeowners who live in their property as their primary residence. Under Alabama Code 40-9-19, this exemption reduces your taxable value. You must own and occupy the home as of October 1 to qualify for that tax year in Etowah County.

Seniors 65 and older can get an additional exemption. This can eliminate the state portion of property taxes for qualifying homeowners. Disabled homeowners may qualify for similar relief. Income limits may apply. Bring proof of age or disability when you apply in Etowah County.

The Current Use program helps agricultural and timber landowners. Land used for farming, forestry, or wildlife habitat is assessed at its use value rather than market value. This can mean significant savings for rural property owners in Etowah County.

Appealing Your Property Assessment in Etowah County

You have the right to appeal if you think your property value is wrong. Under Alabama Code 40-3-24, you can challenge your assessment with the local Board of Equalization. The deadline is typically in spring. Contact the Revenue Commissioner for exact dates in Etowah County.

Talk to the Revenue Commissioner staff first. Many issues resolve without a formal appeal. Staff may find an error in your property record or explain the basis for your value. Bring evidence such as recent appraisals or sales of comparable properties.

If the informal process fails, file a written appeal with the Board of Equalization. The board schedules a hearing where you present your case. Their decision can be appealed to circuit court if you still disagree in Etowah County.

Related Records in Etowah County

The Etowah County Probate Court records deeds, mortgages, and other property documents. When property sells, the deed is recorded there. This triggers a review of the assessed value by the Revenue Commissioner. The Probate Court is in the same courthouse complex in Gadsden.

Etowah County maintains a GIS mapping system showing parcel boundaries. The maps link to tax records. Click any parcel to view its assessment data. This tool helps with property research and boundary questions in Etowah County.

Cities in Etowah County

Etowah County includes Gadsden (the county seat), Rainbow City, Attalla, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, Sardis City, Southside, Altoona, and Reece City. All property taxes are assessed and collected by the county Revenue Commissioner. Cities may levy additional millage on top of county rates.

No city in Etowah County has a population over 100,000. All property tax matters are handled at the county level in Gadsden.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Etowah County. If you own property near a county line, verify which county it falls in. Property taxes go to the county where the land is located.