By Nick Craig
Carolina Journal
With over 9,000 residential units damaged in Buncombe County following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, January 6 marked the deadline for property taxes to be paid on time, despite widespread destruction.
In a county briefing Monday, public information officer Stacy Wood told residents “North Carolina law does not permit property tax waivers or exceptions for natural disasters, including hurricane Helene.”
Though collecting property taxes on now-damaged or non-existent property may seem shocking, Brian Balfour, Senior Vice President of Research at the John Locke Foundation, explains that counties do not have much, if any, flexibility for collecting property taxes.
“There are no exceptions made for property tax according to state law; also the property tax payment deadline, is not allowed to be extended,” said Balfour. “There’s obviously a lot of people panicking, because they’re getting hit with their full property tax bill, even if their property was severely damaged or completely wiped away.”
North Carolina General Statute 105-360 supports this inflexibility, stating that property taxes are due at their face amount if paid before January 6 following the due date. That deadline came Tuesday as western North Carolina residents continue in their recovery efforts from historic flooding damage.
Payments made after that date are subject to interest charges, further compounding the financial burden on those struggling to rebuild after Helene.
Balfour highlighted that changes in state law could be helpful for future storms that impact North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina State Climate Office at NC State University, the state is affected on average by more than two tropical events each year.
“I think this would be really a great opportunity for the governor and the legislature to take a look at those laws a little more closely, [and] try to allow some flexibility and exemptions for natural disasters such as this,” said Balfour.
While the current laws provide little relief for this year, the Buncombe County Tax Department reassured residents that adjustments would be made for future tax assessments.
“Buildings that remain damaged as of January 1, 2025, will see a reduction in their taxable value for 2025,” the department reported. Assessment teams are actively surveying the affected areas, ensuring that property values are updated to reflect the current state of damage.”
More disaster relief funding is expected from state lawmakers as the General Assembly convenes for the 2025 legislative session.
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