Guilford County tax officials are beginning a public education push ahead of the countywide 2026 property value reappraisal announcements – an event that’s drawn heightened attention after the sharp increases many homeowners saw during the last revaluation.
The Guilford County Tax Department publicized this week that it will hold a series of Tax Reappraisal Educational Meetings later in January to explain how the upcoming reappraisal will work and to let property owners know what to expect.
The meetings will be aimed at helping residents understand how property values are assessed, how to review updated values online once they’re released, how the appeal process will work, and what exemptions may be available, particularly when it comes to elderly residents and veterans.
Each meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a presentation by county staff.
Following that presentation, staff members will be available to meet one-on-one with residents to discuss eligibility for tax exemptions.
County officials are emphasizing that the sessions are informational in nature. That is, property values and tax rate details won’t be available at the meetings. You’ll have to wait until February to learn those numbers.
The education sessions come after a year in which property taxes and assessed values remained a recurring issue across Guilford County. The Rhino Times has reported extensively on homeowner concerns following the last reappraisal, which produced significant increases in assessed values for many residential properties, particularly in neighborhoods that had seen rising market prices over the previous cycle.
While county officials repeatedly stressed that higher assessed values don’t automatically translate into higher tax bills unless tax rates remain unchanged, that distinction has often been difficult to convey to residents opening reappraisal notices showing large jumps in value. One message Guilford County Tax Director Ben Chavis often delivers is that he’s not the bad guy. His department just values the property; it’s the county commissioners who decide whether the tax rate goes up, goes down or stays the same in light of the new values.
County officials have previously acknowledged that many property owners don’t fully understand how assessments are calculated or what evidence has to be shown to successfully appeal a valuation.
The upcoming meetings appear designed, at least in part, to address those gaps before notices are mailed.
Under North Carolina law, counties are required to periodically reappraise property to reflect current market values. Once notices are issued, property owners who believe their assessed value doesn’t reflect fair market value will have an opportunity to appeal. County tax officials have consistently advised residents to review their property record cards carefully, verify square footage and features, and compare assessed values to recent comparable sales.
The Tax Department has also encouraged eligible residents to explore available exemptions. Guilford County offers tax relief programs for qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners, as well as certain veterans. Guilford County staff at the upcoming meetings will be available to answer questions about those programs and explain eligibility requirements.
Three education sessions are scheduled in different parts of the county.
The first session will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. at the Carl Chavis Memorial YMCA at 2757 Granville St. in High Point.
The second session will take place Thursday, Jan. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Bur-Mil Clubhouse in Bur-Mil Park at 5834 Bur-Mil Club Road in Greensboro.
The third is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. at the NC Cooperative Extension – Guilford County Center at 3309 Burlington Road in Greensboro.
County officials said the sessions will focus on process and preparation rather than outcomes. Specific property values and future tax rates won’t be discussed.
The Rhino Times coverage over the past year has shown that concerns over reappraisal aren’t limited to individual homeowners: Elected officials have faced pressure from residents who are worried about affordability – particularly seniors on fixed incomes. Commissioners have repeatedly said that, while they do not control market-driven property values, they do retain authority over the tax rate, which is set during the annual budget process.
That distinction is likely to remain central to the public conversation once reappraisal notices are mailed and budget discussions begin later in the year.
For now, county officials appear focused on education.
By explaining how assessments work, how appeals function and what relief programs exist, the Tax Department hopes residents will be better prepared when their notices arrive in the mail.
Additional information about Guilford County’s 2026 property value reappraisal is available at GuilfordCountyNC.gov/2026Reappraisal.
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They’re trying to tamp down the outrage before it erupts !
We’re going to have to protest loudly and publicly to stop this shake down.
Dec. 16th, 1773…the harbor of Boston.
Skip the Omnipotent has his set forth his spineless tax collectors to fleece the citizens ONCE AGAIN. (Does any of this sound familiar?)
We are about to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of what started out as a free nation but has devolved back into a den of power hungry scum and sycophants that claim to have the best interest of the “common man” at heart. They have managed to take a grand idea and turn it into farce. Anyone care to guess who is primarily responsible for this? A hint…look in a mirror.
Unfortunately, we are not the same quality of people that were around 250 years ago, or at least, the majority of us.
Dec. 16th, 1773…the harbor of Boston.
I agree. Conservatives have taken the lie about fraud and wasteful spending and in the end just funneled billions of dollars into the pockets of the elite wealth donors as well as their own pockets while increasing out national debt . Now they joke about canceling elections, running their dictator wannabe president for a third term, ignoring rule of law and trampling the constitution of the United State again and again.
You are also right that we are not the same quality of people from 250 years ago that didn’t believe women or people of color deserved individual rights and that it was perfectly ok to use violence to force labor from people bought in lessor developed nations while also denying them any access to basic human rights such as freedom of movement, self-improvement, etc…. All because some people believed them to be lessor evolved people genetically. Funny how people like Alan look back and think people were ‘better’ in the early years of our country’s founding. Rose colored glasses, I guess.
Please show me specifically I said any of that incredibly stupid horse hockey you are trying to attribute to me.
IMO you have only re-enforced what folks here say about you being an expert at talking out of your 4th point of contact. And remember the proximity of the mouth to the brain in intelligent normal thinking people when they express themselves.
Whoosh…..keep up Alan. This is a game I play you all that post unsubstantiated tripe. Since you and a few others make vague and empty statements, I get a personal chuckle posting agreement with the opposite of what I assume you mean and put your own tripe back at you with a taste of more specific statements.
I will continue doing this for my own amusement. Makes me chuckle more you can’t figure out the point of the comment and get all ‘boo hoo’ about it. LOL
Happy New Year
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Your patronizing condescension is revolting.
You’re an [deleted].
Yawn
New Year. Same ole Chris with his TDS. Chris why not speak about the amount of fraud being uncovered in the immigrant Somalia population
( some ILLEGAL some not) in Minneapolis. So far in in the billions. What say you. And Chris please don’t do your deflection spin on this.
You mean the fraud that was being investigated or the fraud by the news coverage that faked the story?
.
EVERYONE believed sub-Saharan Africans to be less evolved. They believed it was obvious.
Only in the last half century or so has this “Equality” crap pervaded the minds of children and child-like adults, who like to pretend that “We’re all equal!” while it’s perfectly obvious that we are all unequal.
Different societies were more or lessor evolved due to a range of factors such as geography, proximity to other societies (you know diversity is a positive), etc.. . It is only racist to assume different races are more or lessor evolved as science has long proven that tripe inaccurate. Are you pushing the same racist point of view that Austin so dearly loves?
No one believes we are all equal. Diversity is what makes the human race to powerful. We only believe we all deserve equal opportunities.
Hope that helps.
Higher taxes mean more free stuff from the government. Free stuff is the best kind of stuff.
Only if you have the right stuff.
Don’t let Guilford County government take our attention off what really matters, eliminating property taxes. This is a fight that needs to be fought. Regardless of the method used to evaluate a property’s value, property taxes need to be eliminated.
Property taxes tax unrealized value gain, a gain that may never be realized by the property owners. Property taxes pay for failing schools, schools filled with illegal immigrants that cannot speak our language, dumped on teachers and expect property taxpayers to pay for this failure. The Supreme Court got it wrong; we do not owe illegal immigrants the right to an education. Hopefully, this issue will be revisited again. Most who pay property taxes do not have children in school.
Revaluation is manna to Skip Alston. It is his chance to enrich his tax coffers to accomplish his DEI goals and influence money going to the Woolworth museum. Alston is a planner, but his plans do not always include the property taxpayers of Guilford County. I still question the reason behind Guilford County’s current revaluation. This needs to be re-examined. Property taxpayers realize no increase in county services as result of higher taxes.
Property taxpayers pay for government services that others do not pay for in Guilford County. They go by nonprofits, non-profits, not-for-profit (think country clubs); but the connecting thread is that they all exist property tax free. These freeloaders take advantage of government services paid for by property owners who do pay taxes. If property is owned in Guilford County or any county in NC, property taxes should be paid, or NO ONE pays.
So, don’t be fooled by the willingness of Guilford County to give a free meet-and-greet meeting to explain the revaluation process. The essential point is that those who pay property taxes will see a dramatic increase in the taxes paid for services you don’t receive (schools, sheriff because you are law-abiding) but are paying for services that others do not.
Other than non-profits, who do you think doesn’t contribute to property taxes?
Religious institutions and government property. As an imperfect Christian, there was a time when I was against churches paying property tax. However, there are so many “religions” now that, quite frankly, I wonder if they meet the definition of a religion. As far as government property is concerned, government buildings sit vacant when the building could be sold to a buyer that will pay property taxes. It should be a requirement that government buildings that sit vacant for more than one year without verifiable evidence that it will be occupied withing six months, the property is to be sold to an enterprise that will pay property taxes. Government runs roughshod over people, making decisions that are not to the benefit of all people. They flaunt their power because they can, some more than others.
there is a ‘church’ downtown on smith st. three blocks from where i live & pass often that holds a one hour sunday service & that’s it; another big empty little used building dragging the neighborhood down operated by ‘reverend’ real estate speculators ?
In grand scheme of things, how much property do you think Churches own in Guilford county? Quick search on AI search tool found a study that estimate maybe 2% at most. Not a game changing number. Especially when you consider the number that provide county benefits such as food banks, local school support, etc….
Well, Chris, since there are only 2% as you say while relying on AI, there is even more reason for property taxes to be paid. However, I am confident AI is wrong since the search should be for ALL religious organizations, not just churches. AI is only as good as the searches requested. Also, it is not only the number of religious organizations but the value of the land they are perched on. There at least six (6) mosques in Guilford County and that would not include Islamic Centers. According to AI, there are 118 churches in Guilford County. However, there are many Protestant denominations and Catholics among that 118, while mosques serve only Muslims. Since Muslims procreate in large numbers, I would logically expect that there will more than six mosques in Guilford County’s future as well as our country. Can you say, “little Somalia?”
Bit spooked by Muslims I guess. Not shocking from a conservative. Sad and pathetic but not shocking.
FYI, the 2% was based on value not count.
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Why shouldn’t we be wary of muslims? I came within 24 hours of being savagely murdered by them in the Borough Market attack in 2017.
They’re barbaric.
So you think ALL Muslims are barbaric? Why not think the same of Christians given that most mass killings in the US are by Christians. Many acting in the name of Christianity.
No, Christians never ask people to recite a verse from the Bible and then stab them with a butcher knife if they can’t, while shrieking “Jesus is Great”, do they?
Only Muslims do this.
“Allahu Akbar !”
Austin pretending that Christian’s don’t commit murder in the name of their religion is typical conservative bigotry ignoring facts in order to maintain their biased view of the world.
People killed by Christians in the name of ‘their religion who really didn’t care what was or wasn’t said before they were murdered…..
Dr. George Tiller
Dr. Barnett Slepian
Robert Knill
Alice Hawthorne
Melissa Hortman
Mark Hortman
John Hoffman
Robert “Sande” Sanderson
Matthew Arnold
Rachel McCrow
Alan Dare
LaTasha Polk
Terrence Kennedy
“Tiger” Bech
Edward Pettifer
Kareem Badawi
etc…
etc…
etc…
etc…
Toss in the range of people permanently disfigured during bombings of abortion clinics, gay night clubs, and Jewish temples and the number reaches well into the 1000’s of people impacted by Christian Terrorists here and abroad.
People have used religion as an excuse for violence for generations. This includes Islam as well as Christianity. To single out only Islam is to ignore 100s and 1000s of victims from radical Christian terrorists here and abroad throughout history.
But you be you.
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What a load of utter bullsh*t.
“Christian Terrorism”…? You’re nuts.
And there you have it……Austin thinks US Citizens murdered by domestic terrorists who carried out their attacks in the name of Christianity is BS.
Got it.
I think the families of these people would strongly disagree with you.
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No, you are deliberately twisting truth, as you customarily do.
Nominal Christians like Timothy McVeigh who blew up the Oklahoma Federal Building did so because of their political beliefs, not their religious beliefs.
But Islamists commit their foul murders – including the 3000 people killed on 9/11 – explicitly in the name of their “religion”.
“Allahu Akbar!” (Allah is Greater).
All the murders listed above were specifically done in the name of Christianity. Abortion center bombings is one of the classics.
Not sure why you are so twisted over what is or isn’t said before the murders. Weird.
The last time the Tax Department conducted a revaluation they failed to meet the standards of the state reappraisal law. Why should we think this will be different?
How about Ben Chavis and company take some tax reduction classes. You should include Guilford County Commissioners and Greensboro City Council. The numerous pet projects and grifter non profits are destroying families and senior citizens. The county and city have nothing to show for all taxes collected except more DEI jobs to satisfy a certain segment of voters and the power hungry Commissioners and City Council who only want your dollars.
Chris, you live in the past as do most Blacks. What happened hundreds of years ago does not influence your life today, except in your brain. Many Blacks now living in our country today have zero connection to slavery. If you would like a reality check of what your ancestors left behind in Africa, watch the British television drama “The Widow.” If you don’t then thank God that an African ancestor was forced on a slave ship and sent to the US, you are delusional. Remember, it was the African ancestor who was hunted down by other Africans, placed in chains and sold to the slave traders. So much for a warm and fuzzy feeling about your African ancestors. Blacks in the US are still tribal, hence over 90% vote for Democrats, hence Blacks see a White bogyman hiding ready to pounce and commit an act of discrimination but then believe in discrimination through DEI. Niccolò Machiavelli would be so proud of DEI supporters, the end justifies the means.
To claim racism doesn’t still impact minority communities TODAY is a lie that old angry white men tell as an excuse for their failed personal lives.
Here is just one small example. Let me know if you would like more examples.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2024/04/17/new-research-reveals-resumes-with-black-names-experience-bias-in-the-hiring-process/
Do also note that systematic racism today is not just from slavery but also the massive bigotry and violence against blacks as recently as the 60s and 70s before civil rights law were passed and enforced so that racism had to be more subtle.
You can try and whitewash the US history of racism all you want, but it is still very much a part of US history and current culture.
Not all republicans are racists but all racists vote republican.
Happy New Year
.
You’re right that racism endures.
It endures because it is predicated on reality.
What reality is that Al? Afraid to state your bias out loud?
ditto
I hope some reasonable guidelines can come from the state level to throttle back Skip and company. We will never manage it at the ballot box in Guilford.
Hope and wishing do not fly. The ballot box is the only answer I can think of.
Then I’m afraid Guilford county will never recover from this tax policy. Not unless all commissioners have to run in countywide races, which probably has no chance of happening.
Skip even has influence at the State level. He really is choaking off Guilford County from any chance of real success in the future. It will just be a city of warehouses upon warehouses. Glad I left.
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Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious bummer by this son of pork…
john steinbeck great read fav author
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Shakespeare, actually (apologies to the Bard).
Now is the marriage of our discontent.
the second time ‘she’ said ‘shut up & get out’ i did.
Chris, what I was trying to point out in my writing is that Africans played a pivotal role in the slave trade and without them, the slave trade could not have survived. I also was pointing out that Black descendants of slaves have benefited from Western culture far more than from being harmed. You need a reality check. You are correct that civil rights laws were passed in the 1960s, 65 years ago, and enforced.
How do you proposed getting rid of subtle biases? We face biases every day. I prefer a pretty woman over an ugly one. I prefer green over orange. I prefer a country setting over an urban setting. Yes, I prefer American culture over African culture. Chris, my ancestors came to the colonies from England and Germany in 1676, a long time ago. I am guessing your ancestors came from Africa. Two very different cultures. And that difference is still evident today in many ways. Remember, biases are not limited to Whites. What are your biases?
Regarding the Forbes article, here is another one for you to ponder: https://phys.org/news/2025-08-bias-hiring-decisions.html.
Happy New Year to you too.
Are you suggesting slavery was a positive? To believe that, is to believe that living in Africa today is all bad and worse than living in decades of racist history in the US. Typical whitewashing of the evil of slavery. What BS.
Yes, Africans played a pivotal role in slavery, that make it ok to you?
Subtle bias isn’t the problem. Austin and you can be as racist as you two like in the privacy of his own homes. Key is getting rid of systemic racism which is more complicated. If I had the answer, I would win the Nobel Peace prize. Doesn’t mean we should ignore the problem and pretend that it doesn’t exist.
But you be you.
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If I were African-American I would thank God that my ancestors were removed from Africa and brought to the United States of America.
That is just true – no racism in truth.
What about you Chrissy? Would you rather be born in a sewer of abject poverty, disease, violence, crime, and chronic political instability – or America?
You know, I think it’s you who’s a racist. You want to discriminate against straight white men, don’t you?
Only a selfish person such as yourself would be happy for the suffering of your early family for what you ‘believe’ to be a personal advantage and gain. Not shocked you believe this white nationalist narrative that attempts to frame slavery as a positive. It fits you.
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My God, you twist and distort what people say.
You’re a nasty little creep who’ll stoop to any depth to score a point in your sad little mind.
You literally said “If I were African-American I would thank God that my ancestors were removed from Africa and brought to the United States of America.”
Are you pretending we weren’t talking about slavery? LOL, yet another conservative who can’t stand behind his own words. LMAO
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I did say that, and everyone knows it’s true.
I did NOT say that slavery was a positive thing – that’s your deliberate and sly gross misrepresentation of my position.
Everyone can see that too, which is why you are so reviled in these columns. You are not an honest debater. You are a sly specious deceiver who twists what other people say.
And a spiteful, vindictive little creep who belittles those who disagree with you.
It isn’t true. The only truth is that it’s racist of you to believe it. The arrogance to assume that everyone living in the massive continent of Africa would be happy to NOT live there to the point that they would be thankful that their ancestors suffered some of the most brutal treatment in modern history is disgusting. Not shocked you have such a racist view.
But you be you.
Chris, pointing out facts is not racist. Still looking for the White boogeyman, I see. What I infer from your writing is that American Black slaves would have been in a more fortunate position had slavery not occurred and Blacks remined in Africa. I pose to you that America would be better off had slavery not occurred.
.
Agreed.
– – –
So, three construction workers were relaxing after a hard week in a hot summer. One was white, one was black, and one was Hispanic. Suddenly a genie appeared and offered each one single realistic wish.
The black guy said “I want to return to the cradle of humanity, I want to return to Africa where I won’t have to deal with the chronic racism and subjugation of my people here in America”. WHOOSH ! He was gone.
The genie turned to the Hispanic man, who said “I really want to go back to South America where I belong, to be free of the oppression and prejudice of the Gringos”. WHOOSH ! He was gone.
Finally the genie turned to the white guy, asking what his wish was.
” I’ll have a beer “.
You have a very narrow view of the facts and your ignoring the full suite of facts to focus on a few points that attempt to direct away from the truth that slavery and racism have had a devastating impact throughout the history of the United States, including to this day is not at all shocking coming from a conservative.
Rose colored glasses with blinders that keep you focused on just those facts that feed your narrow view of the world so you can deny the truth is not about …. just pointing out facts… it is just more willful ignorance from a conservative.
But you be you.
Chris, I am not spooked by Muslims (Islam), I am concerned my Western Culture, which includes our laws being influenced by Islamist law (Sharia); I am concerned by a lack of assimilation by Muslims; I am concerned hearing the call to prayer (adhan), five times a day over loud speakers; I am concerned why Muslims would leave an Islamic country to move to a Western country apparently knowing that they have no plans to assimilate, why not stay in their own country where assimilation is unnecessary; and since there are terrorists among Islamist, why did we allow a large number of unvetted Muslims into our country? Do Democrats have a death wish? Jews do not practice conversion to their faith. Christians practice conversion through evangelism. Islamist practice forced conversion of the population. Why wouldn’t there be concern by a non-Muslim?
More fake boogeyman by a conservative. Show me anywhere were Sharia law is being pushed for in the United States? Why would Muslims assimilate given all the ‘love’ bigots like you show them… What does assimilate even mean? You want them to change their religion? You want them to abandon their cultural traditions? Why? Does their speaking a different language (more than 2 on average), dressing different and worshiping God differently threaten you? If it does, that sounds like a ‘you’ problem.
No one ‘allowed unvetted immigrants’ into the country. All immigrants are vetted. The process isn’t perfect. But other than 9/11 we haven’t had many major Islamist attacks in the US. Frankly we have had more mass shootings by Christians than we have Muslims.
The greatest weakness of Islam is that governments have been allowed to form around the religion. There are those that want to do the same in the US within the conservative party. THAT is what I worry about. Not some fake boogeyman and sharia law that isn’t even really a thing in the US.
But you be you.
Chris, Sharia law is being allowed in at least two Western European countries, Great Britain and France. Ask Texas about Muslims’ attempt to build a town for Muslims only, which is the first step to governing themselves. If you are suggesting that Muslims have a reason not to assimilate, then why are they here? Stay in your home country because assimilation is a hallmark of immigration. Why would we want immigrants who have no desire to assimilate? What does assimilate mean? Let’s turn to Webster: “to absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group.” I don’t see the word abandon in the definition. As far as Muslim garb, it reflects their religion and the subjugation of women. It cries, Muslim women are not equal to men. Different from American culture? Yes, and I am glad.
All immigrants are vetted? Really? You believe that? Enough said.
You are comparing Islamic governments to conservatives? Have you lost your mind?
As far as worshiping God? I pray to Jesus, son of God. Jesus is a living God. He broke the chains of death and is still living. Unlike other religions that pray to a dead god, Jesus is still living after 2,000 years. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. He and his followers preached peace and love. In fact, Christians only need the New Testament as their guide to their beliefs. So, Americans should thank God that this country was founded by Christian believers.
Chris, you are so myopic. As the old saying goes, you need to have your eyes examined.
Repeating a lie doesn’t make it true. Sharia law is in no way the primary legal system within any Western European Countries. There are a few communities that elect to settle civil disputes specially in the area of religious cases such as divorces and commercial disputes. But those are electively followed and NOT binding in the primary courts and in no way mandated for any one to participate as they are with the primary legal systems.
I am suggesting the Muslims have no reason to abandon their cultures and traditions in order to assimilate. The only requirement to assimilate is follow local laws and be tolerant of local customs and traditions. They should also do their best to learn local languages. Help me understand what else is required by your definition to ‘assimilate’ as you aren’t being clear.
I only compare the danger of allowing Religion to be formally endorsed by governments which, yes conservatives seem to be attempting. Islamic states are the gold standard for why this is an awful idea. Do you agree?
Good for you. I am also a Christian and do my best to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. I disagree with your thinking that we should be thankful that Christians founded this country. I thank God that our founders were smart enough to understand the danger of a government sponsored religion. Given the different denominations and very different ‘takes’ on what defines a ‘good’ Christian, I would cringe to think what would happen if the US Government began to get involved in those definitions and basing law on those doctrines. I only need to point to the treatment of homosexuals to make my case about the dangers of ANY religious based systems driving government and its laws. Do you not agree?
I suggest you also self-reflect on your words and consider a broader perspective that considers the viewpoints of others that don’t share your similar upbring, culture, education and or political views. You know….wake up and go woke. I really is fascinating to actually learn about people from different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.
But you be you.