NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS and OCCUPANTS: In accordance with Alabama Law (Section 40-7-74 and Section 40-2-11), please be advised that a member of the Mobile County Appraisal Staff may visit your property to review or update property information. The purpose of this visit may be in response to one or more of the following: a return was filed, an appeal was filed, recent improvements or additions were made to the property, or a general review was scheduled.
How is my property appraised?
Property appraisal is based on the fair market value determined by this office. Each property is appraised according to information based on area sales, value associated with improvements located on the property and other guidelines set forth by the Alabama Department of Revenue. This determines the fair market value of the property, which is used for taxation purposes only. Each parcel of land in Mobile County must be individually appraised for tax purposes and described on a property record card. For more information, please contact our office at 251-574-8530.
The property I have purchased or sold is still in the previous owner’s name or my name.
Many properties are sold, purchased, or otherwise transferred daily in Mobile County through all manner of real estate transactions.
Because of these constant changes in ownership, all property in Alabama is assessed according to ownership as of October 1 of each year (in accordance with use of the fiscal year calendar).
This means that all property transferred after the deadline (October 1) remains in the name of the previous owner on the property tax assessment for the remainder of that particular tax year, with the new owner’s name attached as “care of”. The following tax year, the new owner’s name will be listed as the current owner of record. The former owner’s name would no longer be listed on the assessment.
For example: If Johnny Appleseed sold his house to Bill Flurmington on 6/24/2024, the 2024 assessment record would list ownership as:
APPLESEED JOHNNY
C/O FLURMINGTON BILL
The 2025 assessment record would list ownership as: FLURMINGTON BILL
Please keep in mind that all records held by this office are for the sole purpose of assessing and collecting property taxes. The Revenue Commission does not certify legal ownership. If you are unsure of legal ownership of property, please seek legal advice.
What changes to my property should I report?
An improvement as defined by the Revenue Commissioner’s Office is any structure located on your property. This includes your home, detached garage, storage and utility buildings, or any free standing structure located within the boundaries of your property.
Other types of improvements include any completed construction that adds square footage and or value to your home such as additional rooms, decks, swimming pools, boat docks, covered/uncovered porches, sun rooms, carports, etc. that may or may not be attached to your home. All improvements must be reported to the Revenue Commissioner’s Office in a timely manner to avoid penalty.
The law requires that owners, or their agent, must come to the Revenue Commissioner’s Office no later than December 31 to sign a new assessment officially reporting any improvements made to or any removal of structures or features from their property, on or before October 1 of that year.
It is not necessary to report painting, re-roofing, replacing siding, etc., or any routine maintenance made to the exterior of your home or structures assessed to your property. You are not required to report Improvements made to the interior of your home unless the square footage is affected.
Generally speaking, any work done that would more than nominally increase the value of a property would constitute an assessable improvement.
Improvements that are not reported may result in back charges and penalty.
If you have a question regarding a specific improvement, please contact us at 251-574-8530.
What do I need to do after I purchase property?
New property owners often rely on their title company, real estate agent or other representative to properly record and assess their property. However, according to Alabama Code 40-7-1, the owner is responsible for reporting acquisition of property to the Revenue Commission. The final responsibility is still yours, as the new owner, to see that all the necessary steps have been completed. The steps are:
- Record your deed in Probate Court.
- Assess the property in the Revenue Commissioner’s Office.
- Claim any applicable exemption. Make sure all of this is done no later than December 31 for all property purchased on or before October 1.
- If your mortgage company has agreed to pay your property taxes, a copy of the assessment sheet should be mailed to the company as soon as it is received. This will give them complete information to request a bill for your property.
- Report all address changes and new contact information promptly.
What if my house is destroyed?
Unfortunately, some property owners experience damage or a total a loss of property due to fire, violent weather, or other catastrophic events. For damage occurring before October 01, you are required to report the loss to this office by December 31 of the year that the damage was caused so that the assessed value to be adjusted for the following tax year.
Damage reported after the December 31 deadline deadline, will require proper documentation to adjust your assessed value.
If your property is no longer livable, please be advised that any Homestead Exemption will be canceled and the property will be reclassified as Class II.
How can I get a copy of my deed?
Deeds are usually recorded by the property owner, real estate agent, or closing attorney in the Mobile County Probate Court records department. If your deed was recorded, you may purchase a copy from probate court. For more information please call the records department of the Mobile County Probate Court at 251-574-6000.