Alabama · How-To Guide
How do I appeal my property tax assessment?
County Board of Equalization / County Revenue Commissioner (county level)
Step by Step
How to do it
-
Review your assessment notice when received (typically mailed in spring - timing varies by county)
-
If you disagree with the assessed value, contact the County Appraisal/Revenue Commissioner informally first - many counties offer an informal review before a formal appeal. This is recommended and available before the formal deadline.
-
If unresolved informally, file a written notice of appeal with the County Board of Equalization within 30 days of the date printed on your assessment notice
-
Gather supporting evidence: recent comparable sales, a fee appraisal, photos, closing statements, or other documentation supporting a lower value
-
Attend your Board of Equalization hearing and present your evidence
-
Receive the Board's decision in writing
-
If still unsatisfied, appeal to Circuit Court within 30 days of the Board's final decision (taxes must be paid by December 31 or a bond filed in Circuit Court to preserve this right)
Details
What you need to know
Required Docs
- Written notice of appeal (no specific form required in most counties - a written request is sufficient)
- Supporting evidence: comparable sales data, recent appraisal, photos, closing statements
- Property parcel number and assessment notice
Fee
No fee to file with the Board of Equalization; Circuit Court appeal may involve court costs
APPEAL DEADLINE: 30 days from the date on your assessment notice - this is a hard deadline
DECISION TIMELINE: Varies by county; hearing scheduled after filing
ONLINE OPTION: Some counties accept online appeal submissions - check your county Revenue Commissioner or Appraisal Department website
WHERE TO GO: County Board of Equalization (contact through your county Revenue Commissioner or Appraisal Department)
Online Option
Some counties accept online appeal submissions - check your county Revenue Commissioner or Appraisal Department website
Where to Go
County Board of Equalization (contact through your county Revenue Commissioner or Appraisal Department)
County-specific variations apply
Appeal deadlines and procedures vary by county. Some counties mail notices on different schedules (e.g., Baldwin County mails April 1 with a May 1 protest deadline). Always verify the exact deadline with your specific county appraisal department. Some counties have online appeal portals; others require written or in-person filing.
Alabama Notes
Important state-specific details
- Alabama's 30-day appeal window is among the shortest in the nation - do not miss the deadline.
- The clock starts when you RECEIVE your notice, not when it is mailed.
- Informal review with the county appraiser is strongly recommended before formal filing - many disputes are resolved at this stage.
- To preserve the right to appeal to Circuit Court, property taxes must be paid by December 31 or a bond filed for double the tax amount.
- Alabama assessment ratio for residential property is 10% of fair market value - verify the county is using fair market value, not an inflated number.
- Senior exemption: Homeowners 65+ with income under $12,000 may be exempt from state property taxes - contact your county Revenue Commissioner.
Official Source
State office contact
State Office
Alabama Department of Revenue - revenue.alabama.gov/property-tax | (334) 242-1525