Besides maintenance projects, the worst part of homeownership is tax season. How are you supposed to figure out what to pay for property taxes? Where do you send the money? You’re not the only one confused about your responsibilities as a homeowner, don’t worry!

Get ready to learn the basics of property taxes in Jefferson County, including what the taxes fund, how much you can expect to pay, and how to make your payments. This guide was put together by the home and

auto insurance

comparison app

Jerry

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

Property tax 101

Taxes are confusing—even for tax experts! Let’s cover the

basics

of how property taxes work before we dive into specifics.

Property owners pay taxes on their property, and this money goes to the government which spends the tax revenues on community benefits like road maintenance and libraries. In Jefferson County, this money primarily funds school districts, fire safety programs, roads, hospitals, and police.

To understand your specific property tax situation, there are two important numbers you need to find out.

The first number is the tax rate. This is set by your local government (and it changes periodically).

The second number is the value of your property (which can change). Your property value is determined by an assessor or appraiser who calculates a figure based on your property’s condition and market conditions.

MORE:

Is car insurance tax deductible?

What is the property tax rate in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County’s average tax rate is 0.59% of the assessed fair market value—slightly higher than the state average of 0.52%. Based on this rate, you can expect to pay an average of $450 a year in property taxes.

Check out the

County Assessor’s website

for the latest information about tax rates in Jefferson County.

How Jefferson County property taxes are determined

Property in Jefferson County may be subject to multiple districts for taxation. For instance, you may pay county-level taxes as well as taxes levied by the state of Arkansas. These rates are set by the legislature or County Assessor and can change from year to year.

You can get your property assessed yearly if you do so by May 31. You can look up the prior assessedvalue of your property

here

. If you need to add a property, you must contact your County Assessor’s office. If you disagree with the value on your record, you can appeal the assessment.

There are a variety of

property tax relief programs

in Arkansas, so be sure to research your eligibility before you file. You could save a ton of money!

What do Jefferson County property taxes pay for?

Jefferson County spends the revenues from property taxes on a variety of county-wide services. These may include:

Streets and highways

School districts

Police and fire pensions

County libraries

Public health programs

Public safety projects

Addiction recovery services

County officials determine how revenues will be spent, but you can attempt to influence the tax revenue budget by contacting the County Assessor or your government representatives.

MORE:

How to deduct a car accident from your taxes

How to pay property taxes in Jefferson County

While you can pay your property taxes as early as March 1, the statewide tax deadline in Arkansas is October 15. After October 16, only money orders, cashier checks, and debit/credit card payments will be accepted—no personal checks. Late payments must include penalties and interest.

In Jefferson County, you can pay property taxes online, by mail, by phone, or in person. There may be a fee for making electronic payments (this is not collected by the government).

To pay online, go

here

. You may need the owner’s name, address of the property, and taxpayer ID.

To pay via mail, send your payment to this address:

Jefferson County Collector

P.O. Box 6269

Pine Bluff, AR 71611

To pay via phone, call the Collector’s Office at 870-541-5313.

To pay inperson, visit the County Collector’s Office at 101 East Barraque Street in Pine Bluff.

MORE:

How to get a hybrid or electric car tax credit

How to save money on homeowners and car insurance in Arkansas

Whether you live in Little Rock or White Hall, the

Jerry app

can help you save money on insurance. For instance, did you know that bundling your home and auto insurance is a surefire strategy for lowering your monthly premium?

Home insurance and auto insurance are unavoidable. But paying an arm and a leg? That’s optional! The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance alone, thanks to our super smart mobile app.

Save money fast, without sacrificing coverage. The Jerry app can help.

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

FAQs

How do I get my Arkansas property tax statement?

You can request your annual tax statement from the County Tax Collector. Note that you are not excused from paying if you do not receive a tax statement.

Are property taxes high in Jefferson County?

Property taxes in Jefferson County average about $450 a year. This is slightly higher than the Arkansas state average but lower than most of the country.

Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance

Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!

Try Jerry