Baldwin County Property Tax Bills Mailed; Payments Due by Dec. 31 to Avoid Penalties

BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Baldwin County property tax bills are on their way to mailboxes across the county, and the Baldwin County Revenue Commission is reminding owners that payments are now due and must be made by Dec. 31 to avoid delinquency.

The Revenue Commission issued the property tax notices Thursday, Oct. 1, marking the start of the annual tax payment season for homeowners, landowners and businesses throughout Baldwin County. According to the commission, taxes are due beginning Oct. 1 and become delinquent after Dec. 31, 2026. Owners who miss the deadline may face penalties.

The commission is also cautioning owners that their bills may be higher than in years past. With property values in Baldwin County having risen in recent years, some owners may see increased tax amounts on this year’s notices.

Key Dates and Details

• Notices issued: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.
• Taxes due: Beginning Oct. 1, 2026.
• Delinquent after: Dec. 31, 2026.
• Late payment: Owners who do not pay by the deadline may face penalties.

Property owners are encouraged to review their notices carefully when they arrive, check that the information is accurate and plan ahead for payment.

Didn’t Get a Bill? You May Still Owe

The Revenue Commission emphasized that not receiving a tax notice does not mean an owner owes nothing. Anyone who owns property in Baldwin County but did not receive a notice should contact the Revenue Commission directly.

Owners can also look up their tax information online through the Baldwin County Revenue Commission’s website. That can be especially useful for people who recently bought property, changed mailing addresses or own multiple parcels.

Situations in which a notice may not arrive as expected include a recent sale or purchase, a change of address that was not reported, or a mortgage arrangement in which the lender pays taxes from an escrow account. Owners whose taxes are paid through escrow may want to confirm with their lender that the payment will be made on time.

How to Pay Baldwin County Property Taxes

The Revenue Commission accepts payments several ways:

• Online: Through the Revenue Commission’s online payment system.
• By mail: Send payment to P.O. Box 1549, Bay Minette, AL 36507.
• In person: At Revenue Commission offices in Bay Minette, Fairhope, Robertsdale and Foley.

Owners paying by mail should allow enough time for their payment to arrive before the deadline and should include the information from their tax notice so the payment can be applied to the correct account.

Know the Fees for Paying Online

Paying online is convenient, but it comes with processing fees, according to the Revenue Commission:

• Credit and debit cards: A 2.75% convenience fee plus a $0.30 transaction fee.
• Electronic check (eCheck): A flat fee of $1.50 per transaction.

The card fees go directly to the payment processor, ProPay, and are not kept by the county, the commission said.

On larger bills, the difference between payment methods can add up. For example, the 2.75% card fee on a $2,000 tax bill would come to $55, plus the 30-cent transaction fee, while an eCheck payment on the same bill would cost a flat $1.50. Owners who want to avoid fees altogether can pay by mail or in person.

How Property Taxes Are Calculated in Alabama

Understanding how a bill is calculated can help owners make sense of any increase. In Alabama, property tax is generally figured in three steps:

• Appraised value: The county determines the property’s market value.
• Assessed value: That value is multiplied by an assessment ratio based on the property’s classification. Owner-occupied homes and agricultural and timber land are assessed at 10% of value, most other property, including commercial property and rental homes, at 20%, and utility property at 30%.
• Millage: The assessed value is multiplied by the total millage rate that applies where the property is located. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Millage rates vary across the county depending on which city and school district taxes apply.

Because the calculation starts with market value, rising property values can lead to higher bills even when tax rates stay the same. That is why the Revenue Commission is reminding owners that their bills may have increased.

Options That May Lower Your Bill

The Revenue Commission noted several ways owners may be able to reduce their property tax burden:

• Appeal your valuation: Owners who believe their property’s assessed value is higher than its fair market value, based on recent sales of comparable properties nearby, may file an appeal with the local board of equalization.
• Homestead exemption: Homeowners who live in their property as a primary residence should make sure they have claimed the homestead exemption.
• Senior citizen deductions: Older homeowners should check whether they qualify for exemptions available to senior citizens.
• Disabled veterans: Exemptions may be available for qualifying disabled veterans.

These exemptions can reduce the taxable assessment on a property. Eligibility rules and filing requirements vary, so owners should contact the Revenue Commission to confirm what they qualify for and how to apply. Exemptions generally must be claimed by the owner; they are not applied automatically.

Why Property Taxes Matter Locally

Property taxes are a key source of revenue for local governments and public schools in Alabama. Depending on where a property is located, the money collected can help support county services, city services and local school systems.

The Revenue Commission is the county office responsible for appraising property, maintaining assessment records and collecting property taxes in Baldwin County.

Don’t Wait Until the Deadline

The Revenue Commission encourages all property owners to pay before Dec. 31 to avoid delinquency. Offices and online systems can be busiest in the final weeks of December, and the holiday season can make it easy to lose track of the deadline.

Owners with questions about their bill, their property’s value, exemptions or payment options can contact the Baldwin County Revenue Commission or visit any of its offices in Bay Minette, Fairhope, Robertsdale or Foley.