Shelby County Property Tax Guide: Pay, Search, Due Dates & Exemptions
Shelby County property taxes are easier to handle when you verify the account before you pay. A missing bill, old receipt, escrow payment, tax relief application, City of Memphis balance, or delinquent notice can change what you should do next. This guide explains the process in plain English so you can understand the bill here, then use the official Shelby County Trustee or Assessor site only when it is time to search, pay, print, apply, or make arrangements.
Quick Answer
For Shelby County, Tennessee property tax, start with the Trustee tax look-up. Confirm the property, tax year, owner or business name, parcel details, balance, receipt history and whether the bill is county-only or also connected to a City of Memphis issue. Then choose the correct action: pay through payit901, print a bill, print a receipt, review tax relief, request a payment arrangement, or contact the correct office.
- Open the official Shelby County Trustee Tax Look-Up page.
- Search by owner/business, property address, parcel number or other available criteria.
- Confirm the correct property before paying or printing a bill.
- Review the tax year, amount due, payment status and receipt history.
- Use official payment or bill-printing tools only after the record matches.
Find the Right Shelby County Property Tax Help
Use this quick map if you are not sure where to begin. It turns common searches into the right next step.
| Your Situation | What to Check First | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| I need to pay Shelby County property tax | Tax year, property record, balance, county vs city bill, and escrow status. | Use the safe payment guide |
| I need to search my tax bill | Owner/business name, address, parcel number or bill details. | Search tax records |
| I need a printed bill or receipt | Correct year, correct property and whether payment has posted. | Print bill or receipt |
| I am 65+, disabled or a veteran | Tax Relief, Tax Freeze and eligibility rules. | Review assistance programs |
| I live in Memphis | Whether you owe both Shelby County and City of Memphis property taxes. | Read Memphis tax note |
| My taxes are delinquent | Unpaid year, tax sale risk, payment arrangement eligibility and notices. | Review delinquent options |
Before You Pay: 8 Checks That Prevent Mistakes
Most property tax problems happen because people pay too fast. Run through these checks before entering bank or card details.
How to Search Shelby County Property Tax Records
The official Shelby County Trustee Tax Look-Up page is the best place to begin for tax bills, payments, receipts, tax sale information and sale property research. It supports common search paths such as owner or business name and can help you reach bill-printing and payment options.
- Open the Tax Look-Up page.
- Choose the search method that matches what you have: owner/business, address, parcel or other available criteria.
- Review the search results carefully, especially if the name is common.
- Open the correct account and verify tax year, amount and payment status.
- Only then pay, print a bill, print a receipt or review delinquent status.
Use the Assessor search for property value and appraisal questions
The Trustee handles billing and collection. The Assessor handles property identification, appraisal value, classification and assessment information. If your question is about value or property data, start with the Assessor search instead of the payment screen.
- Open the Shelby County Assessor residential property search.
- Search by address, owner name, business name or parcel number if available.
- Review appraised value, assessed value, property details and ownership information.
- If value or classification looks wrong, do not treat it as a payment issue.
How to Print a Shelby County Tax Bill or Receipt
A printed bill helps when you pay by mail, keep records, send proof to a mortgage company, or compare current and prior-year balances. A printed receipt helps if you need proof for escrow, closing documents, refunds or accounting.
| Need | What to Confirm | Official Action |
|---|---|---|
| Print tax bill | Property, owner/business name, parcel, tax year and unpaid amount. | Use Tax Look-Up |
| Print receipt | Payment is posted to the correct year and property. | Open Trustee tools |
| Send bill to lender | Loan number, escrow status, due date and whether lender already scheduled payment. | Review escrow checklist |
| Closing or refinance record | Which party paid which year and whether city taxes are separate. | Read buyer checklist |
How to Pay Shelby County Property Tax Online, by Mail or In Person
Shelby County’s official online payment system is payit901. The Trustee also lists payment information, mailing guidance, service centers, branches, payment arrangements and payment history tools.
| Payment Option | Best For | Micro Steps | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| payit901 online | Owners who want to pay online or manage property taxes digitally. | Search account → confirm year and property → choose payment route → review total → save confirmation. | Open payit901 |
| Mail payment | Owners sending check or money order with bill details. | Print bill → include correct payment details → mail early → keep postmark/proof. | Mailing & deadlines |
| In-person payment | Owners who need counter help, receipt proof or branch payment options. | Check service center hours → bring bill/account details → pay → keep receipt. | Service centers |
| Payment arrangement | Owners with delinquent taxes who cannot pay in full. | Confirm delinquent balance → review arrangement process → submit request or call Tax Sale Department. | Payment arrangements |
| Quarterly Pay | Qualified taxpayers who want scheduled installments instead of one larger county payment. | Check qualification → review schedule → apply or follow Trustee instructions. | Quarterly Pay |
Escrow warning: If your mortgage company usually pays taxes, check the posted payment status before paying yourself. A duplicate payment can create refund work and delay your records.
Shelby County Property Tax Due Dates
Shelby County real estate taxes become due and payable beginning the first Monday of October each year. The regular deadline is the last day in February of the following calendar year. Taxes become delinquent on March 1.
- Open the Trustee payment deadline page.
- Confirm the tax year you are paying.
- Check whether the balance is current or delinquent.
- Pay before the deadline if you want to avoid delinquent status.
- If mailing, mail early and keep proof.
| Item | Timing | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| County tax becomes due | First Monday of October each year. | Start checking your account online and prepare payment if you do not escrow. |
| Regular payment deadline | Last day in February of the following calendar year. | Pay before midnight or mailing deadline rules to avoid delinquent status. |
| Delinquent date | March 1 of the following year. | Delinquent taxes can lead to added costs, collection steps and tax sale risk. |
| Quarterly Pay county schedule | October 31, January 31, April 30 and July 31. | Available only if qualified and approved under the Trustee’s rules. |
Shelby County vs City of Memphis Property Taxes
If your property is inside Memphis, do not assume your Shelby County tax payment covers the entire property tax situation. City of Memphis property taxes can have a separate billing and delinquency timeline.
Memphis note: The City of Memphis states that city property taxes are due after the tax rate is set by City Council, generally in the third week of June, and are delinquent after August 31. Check city records separately if your property is inside Memphis.
- Confirm whether the property is inside Memphis city limits.
- Search county taxes through the Shelby County Trustee.
- Search city taxes through the City of Memphis property tax lookup.
- Do not assume one receipt pays both if both county and city taxes are owed.
How Shelby County Property Tax Is Calculated
The basic formula is simple: assessed value multiplied by the tax rate, divided by 100. The part that confuses many owners is that assessed value is not always the same as market value.
- Find the appraised value and property classification from the Assessor.
- Identify the assessed value based on the property class.
- Review the current tax rate from the Trustee or tax calculator page.
- Use the formula: assessed value × tax rate ÷ 100.
- Remember that exemptions, relief, city taxes or delinquent charges may change what you actually owe.
| Property Class | Assessment Percentage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 25% of appraised value. | Most owner-occupied homes begin with this assessment class. |
| Commercial | 40% of appraised value. | Commercial property is assessed differently than residential property. |
| Industrial | 40% of appraised value. | Industrial property may have different valuation and business-related concerns. |
| Personalty | 30% of appraised value. | Business personal property is not the same as residential real estate. |
| Farm | 25% of appraised value. | Farm classification and use-value issues may require Assessor guidance. |
Shelby County Property Tax Exemptions, Relief and Assistance
In Tennessee, many homeowners ask about “exemptions,” but Shelby County’s public help is commonly described through Tax Relief, Tax Freeze and payment programs. The right program depends on age, disability, veteran status, income, residency and ownership rules.
A state-funded program administered locally by the Trustee. It may help qualified homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled citizens, disabled veterans or certain surviving spouses.
A program for eligible senior homeowners that can freeze the tax amount based on qualifying program rules and approval year.
A payment schedule option for qualified taxpayers who want to spread county property taxes across scheduled dates.
If the issue is appraisal, classification or assessed value, use the Assessor rather than only the Trustee payment office.
Tax Relief, Tax Freeze and Quarterly Pay: Which One Fits?
These programs are different. Tax Relief can reduce what qualified taxpayers owe through a state-funded benefit. Tax Freeze can limit the tax amount for eligible senior homeowners. Quarterly Pay changes the payment schedule for qualified taxpayers.
| Program | Who Should Review | What to Do | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Relief | Senior citizens, disabled citizens, disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses. | Check eligibility, gather documents, and apply through the Trustee or state process. | Tax Relief |
| Do I Qualify? | Anyone unsure whether they fit a relief category. | Review categories before applying. | Check Tax Relief Categories |
| Tax Freeze | Homeowners age 65 or older who meet residence and income rules. | Review current-year instructions and file if eligible. | Tax Freeze |
| Quarterly Pay | Qualified taxpayers who want scheduled payments. | Review the county schedule and qualifications before relying on installment dates. | Quarterly Pay |
Practical tip: Do not wait until the last week of February to ask about relief, freeze or payment programs. Eligibility review and paperwork can take time.
If Your Value Looks Wrong: Trustee vs Assessor
The Trustee collects property taxes. The Assessor appraises and classifies property. If the bill seems high because the value, square footage, land size, classification or ownership details look wrong, start with the Assessor.
| Your Problem | Best Starting Office | Why | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill balance or payment status | Shelby County Trustee. | The Trustee handles tax collection, payments, receipts, deadlines and delinquent balance tools. | Trustee |
| Appraised value looks too high | Shelby County Assessor. | The Assessor handles property appraisal and assessment information. | Assessor |
| Property data is wrong | Shelby County Assessor. | Incorrect property facts can affect value and classification. | Property Search |
| Delinquent payment plan | Shelby County Trustee Tax Sale Department. | The Trustee lists payment arrangements for delinquent taxes. | Payment Arrangements |
Late, Delinquent Taxes, Payment Arrangements and Tax Sale Risk
Shelby County taxes become delinquent on March 1 after the regular payment period. Once taxes are delinquent, do not ignore notices. Delinquent balances can lead to collection steps, payment arrangement questions and tax sale risk.
- Search the account and confirm the unpaid tax year.
- Check whether the balance is current, delinquent or connected to tax sale activity.
- If you cannot pay in full, review payment arrangement instructions.
- Contact the Trustee’s Tax Sale Department if the official page tells you to do so.
- Keep proof of every payment, arrangement request and communication.
Urgent note: Tax sale, delinquent, bankruptcy, probate, estate, foreclosure or legal dispute situations can become time-sensitive. Use official sources and qualified professional help when a legal deadline or property loss risk is involved.
Shelby County Tax Sale Research
Tax sale information is not the same as a normal tax bill search. If a property appears in tax sale research, check official sale schedules, available properties, redemption status and related notices carefully.
- Open the Trustee tax sale page or schedule page.
- Confirm the parcel, owner, sale number and unpaid tax years.
- Review whether the property is scheduled, sold, under redemption or not sold.
- Do not buy, redeem or ignore notices without reading official instructions.
- Use qualified legal guidance if ownership or redemption rights are at stake.
If Your Mortgage Company Pays Your Shelby County Taxes
Escrow does not mean the bill is automatically finished. Your mortgage company may collect money monthly, but the county payment still has to post to the correct tax account.
- Search the property tax account.
- Check whether payment has posted for the correct tax year.
- Compare the due date with your mortgage escrow statement.
- If payment has not posted near the deadline, contact your servicer and ask for proof.
- Do not pay personally until you know whether the servicer payment is pending.
- Save the escrow statement and official receipt or status screenshot.
If You Just Bought a Shelby County Property
New buyers often misunderstand property taxes because the bill may relate to a prior tax year, seller credits may appear on the closing statement, and escrow setup may not be fully active for the next installment.
- Search the property tax record after closing.
- Compare county tax status with your closing statement.
- Check whether City of Memphis taxes also apply.
- Confirm whether your lender will pay from escrow.
- Update mailing address if needed.
- Save tax bill, receipt, closing statement and escrow disclosure together.
New owner warning: A seller credit at closing is not the same as a posted county tax payment. Always check official payment status.
Common Shelby County Property Tax Mistakes to Avoid
A few small mistakes can create late fees, duplicate payments, refund delays or wrong-office calls.
Search the official account first. Do not pay from a paper bill unless it matches the live record.
If the property is in Memphis, verify both county and city tax obligations separately.
Escrow collection does not prove the county received payment. Check posted status.
County taxes become delinquent March 1. Start before the end of February.
Value and appraisal questions belong with the Assessor, not the payment office.
Tax sale notices can be time-sensitive. Verify the official record quickly.
Shelby County Trustee Office, Mailing Address and Service Centers
For payment questions, receipts, delinquent balances, tax relief, tax freeze, tax sale or payment arrangement issues, the Shelby County Trustee is the main collection office. For property value questions, use the Assessor.
| Office | Use For | Contact / Location |
|---|---|---|
| Shelby County Trustee | Payments, tax lookup, receipts, tax relief, tax freeze, delinquent taxes, payment arrangements and tax sale tools. | P.O. Box 2751, Memphis, TN 38101. Phone: 901-222-0200. |
| Main Trustee Service Center | In-person payment help and receipts. | 157 Poplar Ave, 2nd Floor, Memphis, TN 38103. |
| Shelby County Assessor | Appraised value, assessed value, classification and property data questions. | 1075 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134. Phone: 901-222-7001. |
Documents to Keep Before and After Payment
Good records make refund, escrow, delinquent, tax relief and closing-related questions much easier to solve.
Tax bill, parcel number, owner/business name, property address, county/city tax status and escrow statement.
Confirmation number, official receipt, bank record, check image, branch receipt or postmark proof.
Proof of age, disability, veteran status, income, residence and ownership as required by the program.
Tax sale notice, payment arrangement request, prior receipts, payoff amount and official correspondence.
Related Property Tax Guides on This Site
These guides can help you understand property tax basics before you complete a final action on the official Shelby County site.
Official Shelby County Property Tax Links
Use these official sources when you are ready to complete an account-specific action, such as paying, printing a bill, checking receipts, applying for relief, or reviewing delinquent tax options.
Editorial Trust and Update Notes
CountyPropertyTaxes.us is an independent informational guide. It is not the Shelby County Trustee, Shelby County Assessor, City of Memphis, Tennessee Comptroller, or any government office. This page explains the process so users can take final action through official systems with fewer mistakes.
Update checklist: due dates, online payment links, payit901 access, mailing instructions, service centers, tax relief, tax freeze, quarterly pay, tax rates, city/county split, delinquent tax rules, tax sale links, office addresses and FAQ answers should be reviewed whenever official Shelby County pages change.
Shelby County Property Tax FAQs
How do I search Shelby County property taxes?
Use the Shelby County Trustee Tax Look-Up page. Search by owner or business name, address, parcel details or other available criteria, then confirm the correct property before paying.
How do I pay Shelby County property tax online?
Use the official payit901 payment portal after verifying the property, tax year, amount due and payment status through the Trustee tax lookup.
When are Shelby County property taxes due?
Shelby County real estate taxes become due and payable beginning the first Monday of October. The regular deadline is the last day in February of the following calendar year.
When do Shelby County property taxes become delinquent?
Real estate taxes become delinquent on March 1 of the following year if not paid by the regular deadline.
Can I print my Shelby County property tax bill?
Yes. Start from the Trustee tax lookup and confirm the property and tax year. Then use the official bill-printing tools if available for that account.
Can I print a Shelby County property tax receipt?
Yes. Once payment is posted, use the Trustee tools to print or save receipt information for your records, lender, closing file or refund question.
Do Shelby County and City of Memphis property taxes have the same due date?
No. Shelby County and City of Memphis property taxes can be separate. City of Memphis property taxes generally follow a different billing and delinquency timeline.
What is payit901?
payit901 is the official online payment system for Shelby County property taxes and certain court payments. Use it only after confirming the correct tax account.
What is Shelby County Tax Relief?
Tax Relief is a state-funded program administered locally that may help qualified senior citizens, disabled citizens, disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses.
What is Shelby County Tax Freeze?
Tax Freeze is a program for eligible senior homeowners that may freeze the tax amount according to program rules. Review current-year eligibility before applying.
Can I pay Shelby County property taxes quarterly?
Qualified taxpayers may use Quarterly Pay if approved. The Trustee lists county schedule dates as October 31, January 31, April 30 and July 31.
Who handles Shelby County property value questions?
The Shelby County Assessor handles appraised value, assessed value, classification and property data questions. The Trustee handles billing and collection.
How are Shelby County property taxes calculated?
The basic formula is assessed value multiplied by the tax rate, divided by 100. Assessment percentages depend on property classification.
What if my mortgage company pays my Shelby County taxes?
Search the tax record and confirm payment status before paying yourself. Escrow collection does not always mean the county payment has posted.
What if my Shelby County taxes are delinquent?
Confirm the unpaid year and balance, then review payment arrangement and tax sale information through the Trustee. Act quickly if you receive a tax sale or delinquent notice.
Is CountyPropertyTaxes.us the official Shelby County tax office?
No. This is an independent informational guide. Final payments, filings, account records and official decisions must be handled through official Shelby County or City of Memphis systems.
Bottom Line
Search the property first, confirm county versus city taxes, review due dates, check payment status, look at relief or freeze options if eligible, then pay or file only through the correct official Shelby County or City of Memphis source.
Search TaxesPay OnlineDue DatesTax ReliefOfficial Links