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.
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.
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.
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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.
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?
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.
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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 “.