Shelby County property taxes: rates, due dates and how to appeal

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Updated each year. Facts on this page come from the City of Germantown property taxes page and the Shelby County Trustee.

A Germantown homeowner gets two property tax bills: one from the Shelby County Trustee for county taxes and one from the City of Germantown for city taxes. Both use the value set by the Shelby County Assessor of Property, and both can be paid without penalty through the last day of February.

Who to call

• County tax bill, payments, Tax Relief and Tax Freeze: Shelby County Trustee, 901-222-0200 (pay or look up taxes)
• City of Germantown tax bill: 901-757-7218 or Tax@Germantown-TN.gov (city tax account lookup)
• Your property’s value or classification: Shelby County Assessor of Property, 901-222-7001
• Appeals: Shelby County Board of Equalization, 901-222-7300

The rates

The Trustee says the 2026 county rate applies to all Shelby County property owners. Germantown’s rate is the one the city publishes on its property taxes page; the city says property tax generates about half the revenue it needs to fund city services.

How the bill is figured

Tennessee taxes a share of the appraised value, called the assessed value. The city lists the shares as 25% for residential property, 40% for commercial and 30% for business personal property. Multiply the assessed value by the rate, then divide by 100.

As a worked example only, take $441,200, the median value of an owner-occupied Germantown home in the Census Bureau’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey:

• assessed value: 25% of $441,200 = $110,300
• Shelby County: $110,300 x $2.702382 / 100 = about $2,981
• City of Germantown: $110,300 x $1.7825 / 100 = about $1,966
• both bills together: about $4,947 a year

Your own bill depends on the assessor’s appraisal of your property, which you can look up on the Trustee’s tax lookup.

The county rate since 2014

The figures are from the Trustee’s historical rate table. A lower rate does not by itself mean a lower bill: the rate is applied to the assessed value, which changes when the assessor reappraises.

Due dates

Shelby County: taxes become due the first Monday in October each year and may be paid through the last day of February of the following year without additional fees, according to the Trustee’s payment FAQ. For the 2026 bill that is Feb. 28, 2027. The Trustee accepts partial payments, has no early-payment discount and offers monthly payment plans through ManagedPay. Card payments carry a 2.6% fee and e-checks $1.50. Pay online, through the payit901 app, by mail to P.O. Box 2751, Memphis, TN 38101-2751, or in person at 157 Poplar Ave. in Memphis or a branch.

City of Germantown: the city mails statements each November, and taxes are due Dec. 1. State-mandated penalties apply if they are not paid by the last day of February, and the city says it cannot waive them. Mail checks payable to “City of Germantown” to P.O. Box 2002, Memphis, TN 38101-2002, postmarked by the last day of February. No statement by early December? Email Tax@Germantown-TN.gov or call 901-757-7218.

If your mortgage company pays from escrow, forward the city statement to the lender.

How to appeal your value

1. Ask the Shelby County Assessor for an informal review at any time, if you question an appraisal or a classification.
2. If you disagree with the result, appeal to the Shelby County Board of Equalization by June 30 of the tax year in question. Owners who miss it may lose all appeal rights.
3. If you disagree with the county board, appeal to the State Board of Equalization within 45 days of the county board’s action (615-401-7883).

The steps are set out on the Trustee’s appeals page.

Help for seniors, disabled owners and veterans

These programs are run through the Shelby County Trustee:

• Tax Relief: a state rebate on part of the tax for qualifying elderly and disabled owners (2026 income limit $38,470) and, with no income limit, disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses. The 2026 maximum on Shelby County taxes is $227 for elderly and disabled owners and $1,182.30 for disabled veterans. The Trustee says it does not handle Tax Relief on Germantown city taxes; call the city at 901-757-7218 to ask. (Tax Relief)
• Tax Freeze: freezes the tax on the primary home for owners 65 and older who meet income rules. 2026 applications must be postmarked by April 5, 2027. (Tax Freeze)
• Quarterly Pay: owners 65 and older on fixed incomes may pay county taxes in four parts: Oct. 31, Jan. 31, April 30 and July 31. Apply each year.

What this means for you

• Watch for two bills: the county bill now, the city bill in November.
• Both can be paid without penalty through Feb. 28, 2027.
• If you think your value is wrong, start with the assessor; the formal appeal deadline is June 30.

Related: Germantown home prices, moving to Germantown and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

When are Shelby County property taxes due?

Shelby County taxes become due the first Monday in October and can be paid without added fees through the last day of February of the next year, Feb. 28, 2027, for the 2026 bill.

When are Germantown city property taxes due?

The city mails statements in November, and taxes are due Dec. 1. State-mandated penalties apply if they are not paid by the last day of February.

What is the Germantown property tax rate?

The city rate is $1.7825 per $100 of assessed value, on top of the 2026 Shelby County rate of $2.702382. A home is assessed at 25% of its appraised value.

How do I appeal my property value in Shelby County?

Ask the Shelby County Assessor for an informal review first, then appeal to the Shelby County Board of Equalization by June 30 of the tax year. Its number is 901-222-7300.

Is there a property tax break for seniors in Shelby County?

Yes. The state Tax Relief program and the Tax Freeze program for homeowners 65 and older have income limits, and 2026 applications are due by April 5, 2027. Call the Trustee at 901-222-0200.