Reappraisal FAQs

Reappraisal is a process where all property (land and buildings) within a taxing jurisdiction (in this case Gaston County) is reappraised to its current market value as of an established date. North Carolina law requires all counties to conduct a property reappraisal at least every eight years to determine market value. 

All property (homes, commercial and land) is visited and observed by a Gaston County appraiser to:

• Verify the accuracy of characteristics on record for the property,
• Compare similar property sales and
• Consider improvements or changes that have been made to the property.

North Carolina General Statute 105-286 requires all counties to conduct a reappraisal at least once every eight years. Gaston County's last reappraisal was performed in 2019. The goal of reappraisal is to distribute the overall tax burden throughout the County in a way that is fair and equitable, and based on current property values.

Property taxes are based on property values. Without periodic reappraisals, some property owners would pay more than their share of property tax while others would pay less. Reappraisals reset property tax values to their current market value so that the property tax burden is spread fairly among all taxpayers.

According to North Carolina General Statute 105-283, Market Value is defined as "the price estimated in terms of money at which the property would change hands between a willing and financially able buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell." The Gaston county assessor’s office analyzes the local real estate market and uses that information to develop our estimates of market value.

Reappraisal and taxation are separate. Reappraisal determines the market value. The Gaston Board of County Commissioners and local jurisdictions (cities and towns) determine tax rates during the annual budget process in late spring. The value of your property combined with the tax rate determines your property tax bill, which is mailed in late July.

Assessor’s office staff are certified to perform property reappraisals by the N.C. Department of Revenue. They are well-trained with decades of experience. Appraisers must meet certification requirements. The Assessor’s office also has an internal quality control division that monitors all aspects of the process.

The reappraisal values are modeled after the market transactions that have already occurred, i.e. sales that have taken place. The Assessor’s Office follows the market, it does not set the market.

Reappraisal is required by North Carolina law and is supported by sales across the County. The County and City will publish a revenue neutral tax rate for review during the budget cycle this spring.

No. The County has moved to a four-year revaluation cycle and will reappraise in 2023. Market value is established at that time.