How do I pay my property taxes?

County Sheriff's Tax Office (county level - each of West Virginia's 55 counties; note: WV uses the COUNTY SHERIFF, not a Treasurer or Tax Collector, to collect property taxes)

Details

What you need to know

Online Option

Some WV counties offer online payment; check your county Sheriff's Tax Office website; availability varies significantly

Where to Go

County Sheriff's Tax Office (not a Treasurer's office; the Sheriff collects property taxes in WV)

County-specific variations apply

All 55 WV counties follow the September 1 / March 1 schedule generally. Kanawha County (Charleston - largest), Berkeley County (Martinsburg), Cabell County (Huntington), Wood County (Parkersburg), and Monongalia County (Morgantown) Sheriff's Tax Offices are the most resourced. Many small rural WV counties have minimal online presence; cash, check, and money order are the primary payment methods.

West Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

WV TAX COLLECTOR IS THE COUNTY SHERIFF - unique; do not go to a "County Treasurer" for property taxes in West Virginia; the Sheriff has that responsibility.
REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY: West Virginia taxes both real property AND personal property (vehicles, business equipment); both bills come from the same Sheriff's Tax Office.
WV ASSESSED AT 60% OF APPRAISED VALUE: West Virginia appraises at market value and then assesses at 60%; this is the assessed value to which tax rates are applied.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Qualifying WV residents age 65+ or permanently and totally disabled receive a $20,000 reduction in assessed value on their primary residence; NO income limits; apply with your county assessor by December 1 each year; this is one of the most straightforward homestead programs in the series.
VEHICLE/PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX PHASE-OUT: West Virginia has been phasing out the personal property tax on vehicles (the "car tax"); as of 2025-2026, significant changes are in progress; verify current vehicle tax status with your county assessor.
DISABLED VETERAN EXEMPTION: Veterans with 100% service-connected disability may qualify for full exemption on primary residence; contact county assessor.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

WV State Tax Division (property tax oversight) - tax.wv.gov | (800) 982-8297; County Sheriff's Tax Office (payment - varies by county); County Assessor (assessment and exemptions - varies by county)