CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (Aug. 27, 2025) – Property tax bills for 2025 are on their way to Carteret County residents. About 86,000 bills are being mailed, with real and personal property billed separately, and all residents should receive them soon. Tax amounts are based on the 2025 assessed value and tax rates set in June by county and municipal officials, and bills can also be viewed online at carteretcountync.gov.
Property owners in Beaufort, Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Peletier will receive one consolidated bill that includes both county and municipal taxes. This approach gives taxpayers a single point of contact for questions about their property tax.
The County tax rate for fiscal year 2025–26 is 22.5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
While property taxes are due Sept. 1, 2025, taxpayers have a four-month window to pay before penalties begin. Payments made after Jan. 5, 2026, will incur a 2% interest penalty for January, plus 0.75% for each additional month until the balance is paid in full.
Unpaid taxes may result in collection actions such as bank account attachments, wage garnishments, income tax refund offsets, personal property levies, or foreclosure. Delinquent bills will also be advertised in the local newspaper, and an advertising fee will be added to the bill.
Payment Options
- Online: Visit carteretcountync.gov/154/Tax-Office to pay by credit card, debit card, eCheck, or PayPal.
- Phone: Call 1-888-544-9433 for credit card payments.
- Mail: Send a check or money order with the payment stub using the return envelope provided. Make checks payable to County of Carteret.
- In Person: Visit the Tax Administration Office at the Carteret County Government Administration Building, 302 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC, or our Western Office at 701 Cedar Point Blvd., Cedar Point, NC. Both locations are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We accept cash, credit/debit cards, money orders, or checks. A convenience fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions.
For questions or to make payment arrangements, please contact the Tax Administrator's Office at (252) 728-8485 or visit carteretcountync.gov.
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