Tax office mails 10,000 delinquent notices; informal appeal deadline set for Feb. 10

Johnston County's Tax Office told the board it will mail approximately 10,000 delinquent notices for 2024 taxes and summarized the property-value appeals process ahead of the informal deadline.

The tax administrator reported that the December collection report showed a timely-pay season collection rate of 91.97% as of Dec. 31 and that the office was still processing payments received through Jan. 6. Staff said they handled more than 8,000 phone calls in January, received over 1,100 face-to-face appeals, and had accepted more than 2,500 appeals in total as of the morning of the meeting.

The tax office reminded property owners that the informal appeal filing deadline is Feb. 10 and described three ways to file: online through the county website (johnstonnc.gov/tax), by printing and mailing or hand-delivering an appeal form, or by scheduling a face-to-face appraisal appointment by calling (919) 989-5130. Staff said decision notices will be mailed simultaneously to all appellants around March; informal appeals that are not resolved can proceed to a formal appeal before the county Board of Equalization and Review.

On evidence needed for site-specific claims such as wet or unbuildable lots, the tax administrator said mass appraisal methods are used and owners who believe a parcel is unbuildable should provide documentation (permits, soil reports, or other evidence) to support their appeal. The tax office said it will continue to schedule face-to-face appointments beyond Feb. 10 so long as property owners file by the deadline and staff can hear the case.

The tax administrator also noted the county still has two vacancies on the Board of Equalization and Review and invited interested residents to apply through the commissioners' appointment process.