Where to request your property tax statement
Your property tax statement comes from your county or city assessor's office, not from your mortgage lender or insurance company. The assessor is the government official who values your property and sends the statement that shows what you owe. You can request it in person, by mail, by phone, or online — the method depends on which county you live in and how quickly you need it.
Start by finding your assessor's office website. Search "[your county name] assessor" or "[your city name] assessor" online. Most assessor offices now let you look up your property and read a statement yourself without calling. If your county does not have an online portal, call the assessor's office directly. The phone number is on the county website under "assessor" or "property records".
You will need to identify your property. Have ready your street address, parcel number (if you know it), or the owner's name. The parcel number is a unique identifier the assessor assigns — you can find it on your deed, mortgage documents, or previous tax bills. If you do not have it, the assessor's staff can look it up by address alone.
Key Takeaways
- Your county or city assessor's office is the source for property tax statements, and most now offer online lookup tools on their websites.
- You can request a statement by searching your assessor's website, calling the office, visiting in person, or mailing a written request — the fastest method varies by county.
- Have your street address or parcel number ready when you request the statement, since the assessor uses these to locate your property record.
- Some assessor offices charge a small fee for printed copies mailed to you, though online statements are usually free.
- If you cannot find your assessor's office or your property does not appear in their records, contact your county clerk or tax assessor's office for help.
Using your assessor's online portal
Most county assessor websites have a search tool where you enter your address or parcel number and pull up your property record when ready. The record shows the assessed value, the tax year, and sometimes a breakdown of what the assessment includes — land value, building value, improvements. You can usually print or read this directly as a PDF, which serves as your statement.
Online portals vary widely. Some show only the current year's assessment. Others let you view historical statements going back several years, which is useful if you need to compare values or check when your assessment changed. A few assessor offices require you to create a free account before searching, while others let you search without logging in. The website will guide you through whichever process your county uses.
If the online tool does not work or your property does not appear in the search results, note the error and call the assessor's office. Properties sometimes take weeks to appear in online systems after they are first recorded, especially if the deed was recently filed.
Requesting a statement by phone or mail
Call your assessor's office during business hours and ask for a property tax statement. Have your address ready. The staff member will look up your property and either email you a copy, mail you a printed statement, or tell you how to read it from the website. Most offices can email a statement the same day or the next business day.
If you prefer to request by mail, write a letter to your assessor's office with your full street address, the owner's name, and your mailing address. Include a note that you need a property tax statement. Mail it to the address listed on the assessor's website. Requests by mail typically take one to two weeks, depending on the office's workload.
Some assessor offices charge a fee for mailed copies — typically two to five dollars per statement — though this varies by county. Ask about the fee when you call or include a check with your mailed request. Online statements are almost always free.
What information appears on your statement
A property tax statement shows the assessed value of your property, which is the value the assessor uses to calculate your tax bill. It also lists the tax year (usually the year the taxes are due, not the year the assessment was made). Some statements break down the value into land and building separately, or show improvements like a new roof or addition.
The statement may also show exemptions — reductions in assessed value you may be may have access to to, such as a homestead exemption or agricultural exemption. If you think you may have access to for an exemption but it does not appear on your statement, contact the assessor's office to ask how to request one.
The statement itself is not your tax bill. Your tax bill comes from the tax collector or treasurer's office and is based on the assessed value shown on the statement, multiplied by your local tax rate. If you need your actual tax bill, contact your county tax collector or treasurer instead.
When you need a statement for a specific reason
You may need a property tax statement for a mortgage process, refinance, insurance claim, or legal dispute. Tell the assessor's office or the person requesting the document what you need it for — they can tell you whether a current statement will work or whether you need a statement from a specific year.
For a mortgage or refinance, the lender usually accepts a current statement from the assessor's website or a recent printed copy. For an insurance claim or property dispute, you may need a certified copy with the assessor's seal or signature. Ask whether a certified copy is required before you request it, since certified copies sometimes cost more and take longer to receive.
If you are contesting your assessment or filing an appeal, you will need your statement to show the assessed value you are challenging. Keep a copy for your records and bring it to any meeting with the assessor or to a hearing before the assessment review board.
Troubleshooting when you cannot find your statement
If your assessor's website does not show your property, check that you are searching in the correct county. Properties are assessed by the county where they are located, not by state. If you own property in multiple counties, you will need to search each county's assessor website separately.
If your address is not returning results, try searching by parcel number instead. You can find your parcel number on your deed, mortgage statement, or previous tax bill. If you do not have any of these documents, call the county clerk's office and give them your address — they can tell you the parcel number.
If the property still does not appear, it may not yet be recorded in the assessor's system. New purchases or transfers can take several weeks to show up online. Call the assessor's office directly and provide your address and owner name. The staff can confirm whether the property is in their records and send you a statement even if it is not yet searchable online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive a property tax statement?
Online statements are when ready if you read them yourself from the assessor's website. Statements emailed or mailed by the assessor's office usually arrive within one to three business days. Mailed requests can take one to two weeks depending on the office's workload. If you need a statement urgently, use the online portal or call the office and ask them to email it.
Do I need a property tax statement every year?
You receive a new statement each year from the assessor showing the current year's assessed value. You do not need to request one unless you want to review it, dispute it, or need it for a specific purpose like a mortgage process. The assessor sends statements automatically to property owners in some counties, though not all.
What if my property tax statement shows a value I think is wrong?
Contact your assessor's office and ask about the assessment review process. Most counties allow you to file a formal challenge or appeal if you believe the assessed value is too high. The assessor's office can explain the important date for filing and what documents you need to support your case.
Can I get a property tax statement for someone else's property?
Property tax records are public, so you can search for any property's assessed value through the assessor's online portal. However, some counties restrict who can request a certified copy or detailed information. If you need a certified statement for a property you do not own, call the assessor's office and explain why you need it — they can tell you whether they can provide one.
Is there a fee to get a property tax statement?
Online statements from the assessor's website are free. Printed copies mailed to you may have a small fee, usually two to five dollars, though this varies by county. Certified copies with the assessor's seal cost more. Ask about fees when you request the statement so you know what to expect.