Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.  Is there a fee for paying taxes online?   Yes, you will be redirected to Official payments website and they will inform you of the fee amount.

2.  I am disabled or over age 65, do I still have to pay taxes?   You may qualify for a full or partial exemption depending on factors other than your age or disability. Please contact the Birmingham Tax Assessor at (205)325-5505 or the Bessemer Tax Assessor at (205) 481-4125 to discuss these and any other exemptions.

3.  When are taxes due?  Property taxes in the State of Alabama become due annually on October 1st.

4.  When do taxes become delinquent?  January 1st

5.  Is there a late fee for delinquent payment?  Yes, $5.00.

6.  Do I have to pay interest on delinquent taxes?  Yes, 12% simple interest.

7.  Will my name appear in the newspaper if I don't pay my taxes on time?  Yes, names are listed in the newspaper four times prior to the annual tax sale.

8.  At what point will my property be "sold" for taxes?  If taxes are not paid the day before the tax sale, they will be included in the sale the next day. The tax sale is usually the third or fourth week of May each year.

9.  How does the tax sale work?  Tax certificates on delinquent properties are auctioned to the highest bidder.

10.  Can I pay my taxes after the tax sale?  Yes, approximately 30 days after the tax sale you may "redeem" properties sold for taxes.

11.  Who should I call about: 

		Birmingham	Bessemer
Address changes, exemptions	Tax Assessor	(205) 325-5505	(205) 481-4125
Real Property Values	Board of Equalization	(205) 325-5566	(205) 481-4120
Personal Property Values	Tax Assessor	(205) 325-5505	(205) 481-4125
Property Tax Amount Due	Tax Collector	(205) 325-5500	(205) 481-4131

12.  What about the security of on-line payments?  We are using the strongest encryption available to protect your information. If you want to read more about online security please follow this link.