CV NEWS FEED // Several counties in North Carolina that were devastated by Hurricane Helene announced that property owners were required to pay full taxes on their homes by Jan. 6, even if their homes were damaged or destroyed.
Buncombe County, one of those most affected by the storm, announced online, “Please be aware: North Carolina law does not allow property tax waivers or exceptions due to natural disasters. Regardless of circumstances stemming from Hurricane Helene, property taxes are still due by Jan. 6. The Tax Office is here to help you figure out a plan, so please contact us as soon as possible.”
Four other counties that were affected by the storm posted similar announcements.
Blaze News reports that Asheville resident Matt Van Swol, who has documented the effects of the storm online, posted on his X account, “No one should be forced to pay property taxes on a home that no longer exists. This is common sense.”
The Carolina Journal stated that any tax payments made after Jan. 6 are subject to interest, and that the storm damaged more than 9,000 residential units in Buncombe County alone.
They also reported that Brian Balfour, senior vice president of research at the John Locke Foundation, said that state law makes no exceptions for property tax.
“There are no exceptions made for property tax according to state law; also the property tax payment deadline is not allowed to be extended,” Balfour said. “There’s obviously a lot of people panicking, because they’re getting hit with their full property tax bill, even if their property was severely damaged or completely wiped away.”
Balfour later added, “I think this would be really a great opportunity for the governor and the legislature to take a look at those laws a little more closely, [and] try to allow some flexibility and exemptions for natural disasters such as this.”
According to Blaze News, Tennessee, which was also hit hard by Hurricane Helene, is planning on calling a special session to pass measures for tax relief for storm victims.
Tennessee Republican State Rep. Tim Hicks supports exempting hurricane victims from taxes for 2024. He stated in December that they should not be taxed “until their property is made whole again.”
He added, “I would think that all legislators across the state will be on board with that.”