Property Tax

Autauga County AL Property Tax: what it is, how it’s calculated, when it’s due, and how local homeowners and businesses can confidently file, pay, appeal, and stay compliant. This guide distills the official instructions, deadlines, classifications, exemptions, and enforcement steps used by Autauga County and the State of Alabama so you can move through each task efficiently.

Understand How Autauga County’s Property Tax System Works

Autauga County AL Property Tax is an ad valorem tax—“according to value.” By Alabama law, virtually all real property (land and buildings) and business personal property are taxable unless specifically exempted by statute or the Alabama Constitution. Property is assessed as of October 1 each year, and taxes are billed and collected one year in arrears. That means the name on title as of October 1 of the prior year is responsible for the bill that becomes due the following October.

Key dates you must track

Assessment date: October 1 (the condition and ownership of your property on this date drive the next tax year’s bill).

Bills become due: October 1 each year (courtesy notices are generally mailed before this date).

Final payment deadline: December 31 (full payment must be received and posted; taxes are not prorated).

Delinquency begins: January 1 (interest accrues at 1% per month, and additional delinquent charges are added after January 1).

Autauga County mails courtesy tax notices to the property owner of record so information can be verified, but failure to receive a notice does not change the due date or penalties. If you escrow with a mortgage servicer, forward your courtesy notice to them and verify they remit timely, for the correct parcel.

For mailed payments, make checks payable to the Revenue Commissioner, include your parcel information, and send to the office’s Prattville address. Paid receipts are mailed upon request when a self-addressed stamped envelope accompanies the payment. In-person service is available during weekday business hours.

Navigate the Online Tools That Simplify Your Tasks

Autauga County provides a consolidated Citizen Access Portal to streamline the most common property-tax tasks. The portal brings together assessment guidance, collection details, millage charts, maps, and search functions in one place.

Use Real Property Search to look up parcel data, ownership, assessed values, deed references, land and improvement details, and tax information tied to your property record.

Explore the parcel viewer map to visualize parcels and related geographic information before you file, appeal, or verify details.

These official tools are designed to ensure you can confirm data and make accurate filings without guesswork.

Verify Your Assessment, Classification, and Duty to File

All taxable property must be listed with the Revenue Commissioner. When you purchase or acquire property in Autauga County, you must file your assessment on or before December 31 for any property obtained during the prior fiscal year (September 30 to October 1). You must present proof of interest—such as a deed—before ownership can be transferred on the tax roll.

Real property reassessment cadence: Your real property does not need to be reassessed every year unless there’s a change in ownership, mailing address, property description, or physical improvements to land or structures. Any such change must be reported by December 31.

Business personal property: Must be assessed annually; it does not follow the “only when changed” rule.

Late assessment penalties: A $5.00 delinquent penalty is added to each assessment return made after December 31. After the third Monday in January, an additional 10% penalty applies.

For criteria, deadlines, and definitions in one place, review the official Assessment Information page.

Know your property’s tax class and assessment ratio

Alabama applies fractional assessment to market value by class:

Class III (10%) – Single-family owner-occupied homes and condominiums; farm and timber properties.

Class II (20%) – All property not in Class I or III (e.g., apartments, commercial and industrial property, duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes).

Class I (30%) – Public utilities.

Correct classification matters: it drives the assessed value used in your Autauga County AL Property Tax calculation.

Calculate Your Bill With Confidence: Ratios, Millage, and Exemptions

Three inputs determine your tax:

Assessment ratio (based on the property class above) applied to market value to derive assessed value.

Local tax rate (in mills) for your taxing jurisdictions (county, schools, municipal where applicable).

Any exemptions you qualify for, which are deducted from the gross tax.

Millage rates are expressed in mills (tenths of a cent). For current jurisdictional rates and how they apply, consult the official Millage Rate chart.

A practical step-through (formula only)

Market Value × Assessment Ratio = Assessed Value
Assessed Value × (Total Mills ÷ 1,000) = Gross Tax
Gross Tax − Applicable Exemptions/Credits = Net Tax Due

Because rates, exemptions, and class vary by property and location, always confirm your parcel’s specifics through the portal and your mailed notice.

Claim Homestead and Other Exemptions the Right Way

Homestead exemptions reduce the taxable portion of an owner-occupied primary residence. You claim at the time of assessment and must meet the eligibility criteria.

Standard Homestead (under age 65): Exemption against state taxes up to $4,000 assessed value and against county taxes up to $2,000 assessed value (school and municipal taxes are excluded).

Homestead “Special” (age 65+ with income under $12,000): State tax credit on the homestead and a county credit based on the first $5,000 of assessed value. Proof of age and income is required.

Full Homestead Exemption (age 65+ or fully disabled with net annual taxable income ≤ $12,000): Exempt from taxes on the principal residence; proof required.

Special homestead categories must be filed annually with the Revenue Commissioner. To initiate or update an exemption, start at File Homestead Online.

Renewals for age-based or disability exemptions

If you already have an age-based or disability exemption, confirm status and submit documentation as requested. Autauga County provides an Over 65 renewal page to enter your parcel and PIN (note the PIN begins with the letter O, not zero).

Align Business Personal Property With Annual Filing Requirements

Businesses must annually list and assess taxable personal property (machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, etc.). Even if your real property record didn’t change, your business personal property filing still must be made each year during the filing window. The portal integrates personal property data with parcel data so your filings and valuations remain consistent across your account.

Pay Your Autauga County AL Property Tax on Time and Keep Proof

The County expects full payment by December 31; taxes are not prorated. If you bought property mid-year, consult your closing documents to see how your transaction allocated responsibility for the current bill—but the County must receive the full amount to post the account.

How to pay: Make checks payable to the Revenue Commissioner and include your identifying parcel details.

Where to pay or mail: The office’s Prattville address is used for both mailing and in-person service during weekday hours.

Receipt handling: If you need a mailed paid receipt, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment.

For specifics about due dates, arrears billing, and delinquency rules all in one place, see the County’s Collection Information page.

If your mortgage company escrows taxes

If your servicer pays taxes on your behalf but you receive a delinquent notice:

Call your lender immediately and verify the parcel ID and the amount they show as paid.

Confirm posting with the County’s collection office so any misapplied or short payment can be resolved promptly.

Address overpayments through the Revenue Commissioner: any refund is issued to the original payer of the taxes.

Avoid Delinquency: Understand Interest, Penalties, and Corrections

Interest: Begins January 1 at 1% per month on unpaid balances.

Additional charges: Delinquent fees are added after January 1.

Error corrections: Address valuation or classification errors through the Revenue Commissioner’s Office.

Name changes and “In Care Of” notices: If you see a notice “in care of” you, it means the previous owner still held title as of last October 1; your name will be listed first next year.

Prompt attention to notices and the assessment roll prevents mounting interest and preserves your appeal rights.

Prepare Thoroughly if You Plan to Appeal Your Value

If you disagree with your valuation, Alabama provides a local administrative review through the Board of Equalization (BOE). In Autauga County the BOE is not a full-time board; you must submit a letter with your name, address, phone number, and parcel identification number to request an appointment, and the County will schedule you when the Board goes into session. Mail your letter to the BOE at the Revenue Commissioner’s office address.

To check deadlines and prepare your filing, use the official Board of Equalization appeal search. When you gather evidence, focus on sales during the County’s valuation period and comparable properties in your municipality and school district, as well as cost changes or objective physical condition differences. The County notes that its mass appraisal models weigh market sales and a construction cost index, along with location, improvement type, and similar relevant factors.

Why values can rise from one year to the next

Assessments for the 2025 tax year are based on value as of October 1, 2024, using market data from October 2023 through September 2024. Local growth, rising construction costs, stronger sales prices, and competitive market conditions can all elevate fair market value. Those same inputs can stabilize or reduce values when market conditions soften. Anchor your appeal evidence in that valuation window.

Leverage Current-Use Valuation for Farm, Pasture, and Timber Land

Owners of qualifying farmland, pastureland, or timberland can apply for current-use valuation, which bases tax on the land’s use rather than full market development potential. You must apply by December 31 prior to the tax year to receive current-use treatment on the upcoming bill. If your use changes, you must notify the County; improper or late filing can result in the loss of current-use benefits for that tax year.

Know What Happens in a Tax Sale (and What a Certificate Really Means)

When property taxes remain unpaid, Alabama law requires the County to sell the tax lien at public auction:

Advertisement: Properties with unpaid taxes are published in the local newspaper (Prattville Progress) for three consecutive weeks before the sale date.

Venue and format: Sales are held in the commission chambers via public outcry auction, typically starting at 10:00 a.m. on the advertised date.

Who can bid: Any prospective purchaser must appear in person; the interest goes to the highest bidder.

Payment and documentation: Purchasers pay cash or certified check on the sale day and receive a paid receipt; after ten business days, the County issues a certificate of purchase (this is not a tax deed).

Redemption window: For three years after the sale, the owner may redeem through the Revenue Commissioner by paying the principal plus 12% per year interest (1% per month). Upon redemption, the purchaser receives the redemption funds and the certificate becomes null and void.

Tax deed eligibility: After three years, if the property is not redeemed, the purchaser can surrender the certificate to the Judge of Probate for issuance of a tax deed.

Unsold liens: If no one buys the lien at auction, the property is returned to the State of Alabama. Anyone interested later must apply to the State Department of Revenue, Ad Valorem Tax Division; the State will advise the amount required and will accept certified checks only for such purchases.

The State cautions buyers to beware: a tax certificate is not a deed, and redemption rights can be exercised during the statutory period.

Handle Common Ownership and Billing Scenarios Without Stress

Purchased property mid-year?

Because Alabama bills a year in arrears, the person holding title on October 1 is generally responsible for that year’s bill—even if they sell later. Your closing attorney’s prorations determine how you and the seller divided expected taxes, but the County still expects the full amount to post to the account. If questions arise, contact the Revenue Commissioner with your parcel ID and closing documents handy.

Received your notice “in care of” you?

That message means the previous owner held title on the last assessment date and remains listed first for this year’s bill. Your name will appear first on the following year’s notice once your ownership is established on the October 1 roll.

Use Maps and Records to Check What the County Sees

Before filing or appealing, review the County’s official sources so your documentation matches the record:

Confirm your deed references, legal description, and building data using the Real Property Search.

Verify parcel boundaries and context using the parcel viewer map.

Cross-check classification, improvements, and assessment timing on the Assessment Information page.

Accurate self-review helps you avoid penalties for late or incorrect filings and strengthens any appeal you may submit.

Pay Close Attention to Millage, Jurisdiction, and Exemptions

Autauga County’s levy is a composite of county, school, and in some cases municipal rates. The millage you pay depends on the area where your parcel sits. That is why the County points you to the official Millage Rate chart rather than a single countywide number. Combine your assessed value (class ratio × market value) with the correct millage and subtract your homestead or other approved exemptions to estimate your bill.

Keep Your Account Current: Documentation and Recordkeeping

Save your mailed notice, a copy of your check, and the County’s paid receipt.

If you mail your payment, keep proof of mailing and allow time for delivery and posting before December 31.

If you rely on escrow, monitor your servicer’s confirmation and verify posting with the County to prevent unexpected delinquency interest.

If you discover an error (for example, a misapplied payment, wrong mailing address, or an improvement incorrectly listed), contact the Revenue Commissioner to start the correction process as soon as possible.

When You Need In-Person Support

Autauga County provides weekday public counter service at the Revenue Commissioner’s Office in downtown Prattville. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For department-level phone lines—assessments, collections, appraisal, mapping, and personal property—visit the County’s county contact directory to match your question to the correct team.

File, Renew, and Appeal Online to Save Time

Many filings and status checks can be handled remotely:

File or update your homestead exemption through File Homestead Online and use the Over 65 renewal page when applicable.

Prepare and track your appeal through the Board of Equalization appeal search.

Confirm levy inputs with the Millage Rate chart and verify parcel facts via the Real Property Search.

Keeping your documentation aligned with the County’s official records is the fastest way to accurate bills and timely resolution of questions.

Property Tax Relevant Departments, Addresses, and Phone Numbers

Autauga County Revenue Commissioner’s Office — 135 North Court Street, Suite D, Prattville, AL 36067 — 334-358-6750

Revenue / Reappraisal Office — Assessments & Collections — 135 North Court Street, Suite D, Prattville, AL 36067 — 334-358-6757

Revenue / Reappraisal Office — Appraisal Department — 135 North Court Street, Suite D, Prattville, AL 36067 — 334-358-6774

Revenue / Reappraisal Office — Mapping — 135 North Court Street, Suite D, Prattville, AL 36067 — 334-358-6767

Revenue / Reappraisal Office — Personal Property — 135 North Court Street, Suite D, Prattville, AL 36067 — 334-358-6762

Autauga County Probate Office — 176 West 5th Street, Prattville, AL 36067-3041 — 334-361-3728

Autauga County Property Tax FAQs

How can I verify my parcel details, assessed value, and prior bills?

Use the county’s Real Property Search to review ownership, legal description, assessed values, deed references, land and improvement data, sketches, GIS maps, and tax information tied to your record. This is the official source Autauga County references for parcel-level facts and is the best place to confirm what the county has on file before filing, paying, or appealing. Access it via Real Property Search.

Where are the official due dates, payment instructions, and delinquency rules?

Autauga County posts authoritative billing timelines, arrearage policy, and payment guidance on its collections page. You’ll find what “billed in arrears” means locally, how courtesy notices are handled, posting requirements for mailed payments, and how interest and additional charges apply after delinquency begins. Review the current rules at Collection Info.

Which exemptions can be filed online, and what should I prepare?

The county enables online filing for homestead-related exemptions through its portal. You’ll file at the time of assessment and may be required to provide documentation (for example, proof of age or income for certain categories) and verify your ownership details match the assessment roll. Start and submit electronically at File Homestead Online. If you already have an age-based or disability exemption, renewals can be completed through the portal; the Over-65 workflow uses a Parcel and a PIN (the PIN begins with the letter O, not zero).

How do I challenge my value or track an appeal with the Board of Equalization?

Autauga County’s Board of Equalization is a part-time board. To request review, file through the county portal and be prepared to provide your name, address, phone number, and parcel identification number. When the Board is in session, appointments are scheduled and status can be tracked online. File or check status at File BOE Appeal.

Where do I find the millage rates used to compute my bill?

The county publishes an official chart listing millage for the taxing jurisdictions that apply to your parcel. Use it in combination with your assessed value and any approved exemptions to understand how the total levy is derived for your location. View the latest schedule at Millage Rates.