Calculate your property tax for AL. Enter your home value, apply exemptions, and see your estimated annual tax.
Alabama's effective property tax rates are among the lowest in the nation, commonly 0.3% to 0.5% of market value, because Alabama levies no state property tax and stays local. Property is reappraised every 4 years, with the annual assessed-value increase capped at 10% in between. Relief includes a homestead exemption for owner-occupied homes and a disabled veterans' exemption. The combination of no state tax and the 10% cap keeps Alabama among the most affordable property-tax states in the country. This guide explains the calculation and relief; the calculator below estimates your bill.
Alabama values property at market value, then reappraises it every 4 years with the assessed value capped at 10% annual growth in the interim; your tax is the assessed value times the combined rate (mills per $100) of the county, city, and school district, minus the homestead exemption. Because the state levies no property tax, the bill is almost entirely local and stays low.
Alabama's defining feature is the 10% cap on annual assessed-value growth between reappraisals, with a full reappraisal every 4 years. This limits how fast your bill can climb even as the market rises; the reset at reappraisal is the only large jump. It is a mild growth cap that protects owners without freezing values.
Alabama's homestead exemption removes up to $4,000 of a primary residence's assessed value for owners 65+ (and $2,000 for younger owners), plus an additional $5,000 for totally disabled owners. It is claimed with the county and is the main relief for most homeowners; because assessed values are low, the dollar saving is meaningful.
Alabama grants a disabled veterans' exemption (a full exemption of the home's assessed value for a 100% service-connected-disabled veteran, with partial relief for lower ratings) and exemptions for surviving spouses. These are claimed with the county and are the largest reliefs for eligible owners.
Alabama's restraint comes from having no state property tax and a 10% cap on annual assessed-value growth (with a 4-year reappraisal), not a strict Prop 13-style freeze. The homestead exemption is the key relief. Because everything is local, rates are set by the county commission and school board.
The figures below draw on our county datasets where available; rates differ by jurisdiction, so use your specific locality's rate in the calculator.
Estimates apply each county's effective rate to a $200,000 market value for comparison only; your actual bill depends on your own assessed value, exemptions, and local levies.
Alabama taxes are generally paid annually in two installments (commonly October 1 and the following March 1) by the county tax collector on the combined mill rate, with penalty and interest on late payment and a tax sale after sustained delinquency. The homestead exemption is claimed with the county; the veterans' exemption with the county. Because Alabama has no state property tax, the local mill rate drives the bill. Many counties mail a single consolidated bill, and any state automobile ad valorem tax is shown separately on it.
To lower your Alabama bill: (1) claim the homestead exemption (up to $4,000 of assessed value for 65+, $2,000 otherwise) with the county; (2) if totally disabled, add the $5,000 exemption; (3) claim the disabled-veterans' exemption (full for 100%); (4) verify the 10% annual assessed-value cap was applied at reappraisal; (5) follow county and school mill-rate votes. Alabama's low rates mean the exemption is the main lever, so file it promptly after any ownership change rather than waiting.
In practice, an Alabama bill is the assessed value (reappraised every 4 years, with annual growth capped at 10% in between) times the combined county/city/school rate, minus the homestead exemption (up to $4,000 of assessed value for 65+, $2,000 otherwise; disabled owners get $5,000 more). Alabama levies no state property tax, so everything is local. Read the assessment notice and grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower.
If you are buying in Alabama, claim the homestead exemption (up to $4,000 of assessed value for 65+, $2,000 otherwise) after closing. Alabama has no state property tax and reappraises every 4 years with a 10% annual cap, so rates are stable and low; compare county and school mill rates. Grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower. Because the bill is small, verify the exemption is active so you are not overpaying.
To appeal in Alabama, file by the county board of equalization deadline. (1) Compare the market value to recent sales. (2) File with the board. (3) Appeal to the Alabama Department of Revenue if needed. (4) Confirm your homestead exemption. Assessment is capped at 10% annual growth between 4-year reappraisals.
Alabama's reform debate centers on the homestead exemption amounts and whether to index them to inflation, and on reappraisal timing (the 4-year cycle with a 10% annual cap). Because there is no state property tax, changes are local. Watch the county commission and school board for mill-rate votes.
Assessed value — market value capped at 10% annual growth between 4-year reappraisals. Homestead exemption — up to $4,000 of assessed value for 65+, $2,000 otherwise; disabled get more. No state property tax — all tax is local. Board of equalization — the local appeal body.
Two $200,000 Alabama homes at 100% assessment with a 0.4% effective rate. Homeowner A owes about $800. Homeowner B, 65+, claims the $4,000 homestead exemption on assessed value, potentially cutting the net toward $640–$720. The example shows Alabama's low rates keep bills small even before exemptions.
Alabama homeowners with a mortgage pay via escrow; the lender remits the installments. Rates are low and stable (no state tax, 4-year reappraisal with a 10% cap), so the escrow is modest. Claim the homestead exemption and tell the lender. Buyers should compare county/school mill rates; the small base means tax is rarely the deciding factor, but verify the exemption is active.
Alabama owners should claim the homestead exemption (up to $4,000 of assessed value for 65+, $2,000 otherwise) with the county — it is the main relief and many owners forget to file. If you are totally disabled, add the $5,000 exemption; a 100% service-connected-disabled veteran should file the full exemption. Because Alabama reappraises every 4 years with a 10% annual cap, watch the reassessment year for a jump and appeal the market value with comparable sales if it looks high. If you inherit or transfer a home, re-file the homestead exemption, since it does not always carry over automatically. There is no state property tax, so the county commission and school board mill votes are what move your bill — follow them.
How is Alabama property assessed? At market value, reappraised every 4 years with the assessed value capped at 10% annual growth in between.
Does Alabama have a state property tax? No. Alabama levies no state property tax; the bill is set entirely by local counties, cities, and school districts.
What is Alabama's homestead exemption? It removes up to $4,000 of assessed value for owners 65+ ($2,000 otherwise), plus $5,000 more for the totally disabled; claim with the county.
What veterans' relief exists in Alabama? A disabled veterans' exemption (full for 100%), plus surviving-spouse exemptions.
How do I appeal my Alabama assessment? File with the county board of equalization by the notice deadline, then to the Alabama Department of Revenue.
Enter your home value, select your state, and see your estimated annual property tax.