4 easy ways to pay your property taxes & avoid long lines

Press release from Buncombe County

Hate waiting in line? Don’t want to brave the impending cold weather? If so, it’s probably best to go ahead and pay your Buncombe County property taxes. Tax bills become delinquent after Jan. 5, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the multiple ways to pay other than waiting in line at the Tax Department.

Avoid interest on your bill

Please be aware, state law mandates that interest will be added to your bill if it is not paid in full and payment is not postmarked or received by Jan. 5. If you cut it close to that date, your mail drop or carrier might not get stamp your envelope with the Jan. 5 postmark, or your bank might not send your online banking payment to us by Jan. 5. Help avoid that situation by planning ahead and using one of the below payment options well before the Jan. 5 deadline.

Need to set up a payment plan? Don’t wait. Call us at (828) 250-4910 as soon as possible.

1) Pay by mail

Use the convenient self-addressed envelope included in your bill, or mail your check or money order to:

Buncombe County Tax Collections
P.O. Box 3140
Asheville, NC 28802-3140

Please do not send cash via mail. Remember that payments must be received or postmarked by Jan. 5 to avoid a 2-percent interest fee. Payments mailed to the incorrect address may not be received and interest may accrue.

* If you have misplaced your tax bill or need a receipt, it can be printed online by visiting tax.buncombecounty.org.

2) Make an electronic payment online

You can use the online bill pay found at buncombecounty.org/paytaxes. This is the best way to avoid long lines as you can pay from home, a local library, or anywhere else you have a secure internet connection. No fees are added for electronic check payments, but fees are added for credit/debit card transactions.

3) Use a drop box

Place your check or money order in one of our drop boxes:

• In the driveway of the Family Justice Center at 35 Woodfin St., in downtown Asheville.
• At the main entrance of the Tax Department at 94 Coxe Ave., in downtown Asheville.
• Black Mountain Library, outside the library between the two main entrance doors.
• Weaverville Library, outside the library on the Main Street sidewalk to the right of the main entrance at the bottom of the access ramp.

4) Pay by credit card over the phone

Have your bill handy and call 1-877-690-3729 (enter jurisdiction code 4301 and follow the instructions).

Note: No fees are added for electronic check payments, but fees are added for credit/debit card transactions.

Still want to pay in person?

We understand that some people will still want to come in to see us, and there are a couple of reminders we want to share. Please visit before mid-December to avoid significant wait times. In-person payment lines are expected to stretch outside the building as we approach the last day to pay before interest is applied.

Winter weather is unpredictable in Buncombe County and as we approach December, weather closures may affect your ability to pay your taxes in person. Your tax bill will become delinquent after Jan. 5, and interest added to a bill, due to late payment, cannot be waived due to inclement weather.

Holiday schedule

The Tax Collections office will be closed for the holidays on Nov. 10, Nov. 23-24, Dec. 25-27, and Jan. 1.

Payment plans

If you think you are going to be unable to pay your taxes, please let us know at (828) 250-4910 as soon as possible so our office can work with you to set up a payment plan or arrangements.