How do I pay my property taxes?

County Tax Collector (county level - each of Mississippi's 82 counties)

Step by Step

How to do it

Locate your tax bill: Mississippi property tax bills (tax notices) are issued by the County Tax Collector in November-December each year
Review your notice for the correct amount, parcel number, and due date
Choose your payment method: in person at the County Tax Collector's office, by mail, or online through your county's payment portal
Pay by the due date:
DUE DATE: February 1 (taxes become delinquent after February 1)
PENALTY: 1.5% per month interest after February 1; properties with 2 years of delinquent taxes may be sold at an annual tax sale
Retain receipt as proof of payment

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Property tax bill or parcel number
Payment (cash, check, money order, or card - varies by county; online portals available in many counties)

Online Option

Many Mississippi counties offer online payment; search "[County Name] County Tax Collector Mississippi" or check the county's official website

Where to Go

County Tax Collector or Tax Assessor/Collector (varies by county; address in your v2 county data)

County-specific variations apply

Mississippi's 82 counties each operate independently. In some counties, the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector are the same elected office; in others they are separate. Online payment availability varies; larger counties (Hinds/Jackson, DeSoto/Southaven, Harrison/Gulfport, Rankin/Brandon, Madison/Ridgeland) have more sophisticated online systems. Rural counties may require in-person or mail payments.

Mississippi Notes

Important state-specific details

Mississippi has one of the LOWEST effective property tax rates in the United States.
Assessment date: January 1 each year; taxes levied on ownership as of January 1.
Mississippi assesses property at ASSESSED VALUE = 10% of true (market) value for most residential property; 15% for commercial; this means a $150,000 home has a $15,000 assessed value.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Two tiers:
Tier 1 (under 65/non-disabled): A $300 tax credit applied to owner-occupied primary residence; effectively exempts taxes on roughly the first $7,500 of assessed value (~$75,000 market value); apply with County Tax Assessor by April 1
Tier 2 (age 65+ or totally disabled): First $7,500 of assessed value completely exempt from ALL ad valorem taxes; the entire property may effectively have near-zero property taxes; apply with County Tax Assessor
AGRICULTURAL LAND: Assessed at use value, significantly reducing taxes on qualifying farmland.
No state property tax on most residential property; county and local millage rates apply.
County Tax Assessor is responsible for determining assessed value; County Tax Collector collects taxes.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Mississippi Department of Revenue, Local Property Appraisal - dor.ms.gov/county-services/local-property-appraisal | (601) 923-7700; County Tax Collector or Tax Assessor/Collector (varies by county)