Last updated 2026-07-09
TL;DR
Mobile County, Alabama taxes assessed value, which is 10% of fair market value for a home. County millage runs around 6.5 mills, but your total bill adds city and school levies, often 35 to 54 mills combined. Taxes are due October 1 and delinquent after December 31. Homestead exemptions can wipe out most of a qualifying owner-occupant's bill.
How does Mobile County calculate your property tax bill?
Alabama runs its property tax math differently from almost every other state, and getting the sequence right keeps you from chasing the wrong number.
The Mobile County Revenue Commissioner first estimates your property's fair market value. For a typical single-family home, assessed value is 10% of that market value under Alabama law [1]. Commercial and industrial property is assessed at 20%, agricultural land at 10%. So a house the county values at $250,000 carries an assessed value of only $25,000.
From that assessed value the county applies millage rates. One mill equals $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. Total millage changes by location because cities, school districts, and special districts each stack their own levies on top of the base county rate [2].
A typical unincorporated Mobile County parcel might land somewhere around 35 to 50 mills depending on school district, while parcels inside the City of Mobile pick up extra municipal mills. The Revenue Commissioner posts current millage tables by tax district [2].
Here's the formula: (Fair Market Value x Assessment Ratio) x (Total Millage / 1,000) = Gross Tax. Subtract any exemption, and that's your net bill.
What are the current Mobile County property tax rates by district?
Millage rates are set each tax year and published by the Revenue Commissioner. The table below shows representative figures from recent levy years. Verify the exact number with the Revenue Commissioner before you rely on it [2].
| Tax District | Approx. Total Millage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated County (outside city) | ~35-42 mills | Varies by school zone |
| City of Mobile | ~44-52 mills | Includes municipal levy |
| City of Saraland | ~46-50 mills | Includes municipal levy |
| City of Prichard | ~48-54 mills | Includes municipal levy |
| City of Daphne (Baldwin/Mobile line) | Confirm with commissioner | Jurisdiction split possible |
A homeowner in unincorporated Mobile County with a $200,000 fair market value pays tax on a $20,000 assessed value. At 40 mills that's $800 gross, before exemptions.
Compare that to California counties like LA County, where owners pay on a much higher assessed base but sit under Proposition 13 rate caps. Alabama's low assessment ratios reach a similar affordability by a different route.
The Alabama Department of Revenue sets assessment ratios by class. Individual county millage rates are set locally [1].
What exemptions can lower your Mobile County property tax bill?
Exemptions in Alabama are genuinely powerful and widely underused. If you own and occupy your home, collect every one you qualify for.
Homestead Exemption (H-1): Owner-occupants get a $4,000 assessed value reduction for all state, county, and municipal purposes. On a 40-mill rate that's $160 off the bill. File by December 31 of the tax year. You file once, and it renews automatically unless your situation changes [3].
Over-65 or Disability Exemption (H-2/H-3): Homeowners 65 or older, or those permanently and totally disabled, may qualify for full exemption from the state ad valorem tax plus added county exemptions. Income limits apply to some tiers, but the threshold is generous. For qualifying seniors on Class III residential property, the state levy drops out entirely [3].
H-4 (Widows/Widowers): A $5,000 assessed value reduction applies if you're the un-remarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran or a person who was permanently and totally disabled.
Veteran exemptions: A 100% service-connected disabled veteran qualifies for complete exemption from property tax on a primary residence under Alabama Code Section 40-9-21 [8].
File exemption claims with the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner at 3925 Michael Blvd, Suite G, Mobile, AL 36609. Most applications are due by December 31 to apply to the coming tax year [2].
Think you've been missing a homestead exemption for prior years? The Commissioner can sometimes apply it retroactively. Call and ask directly.
When are Mobile County property taxes due, and what happens if you miss the deadline?
The Alabama tax calendar runs backward from what most people expect. Taxes are assessed as of October 1, bills arrive in October, and payment is due by December 31 of that same year [1].
Pay after December 31 and interest starts, plus a penalty [2]. Unpaid taxes go delinquent on January 1 of the following year. The Revenue Commissioner then starts collection, which can end in a tax lien sale. Alabama lets the state sell a tax lien certificate after three years of delinquency, handing a third party the right to collect the debt with interest.
The interest rate on delinquent Alabama property taxes is 12% per year under Alabama Code Section 40-5-7 [4]. That compounds fast. Facing delinquency? Contact the Revenue Commissioner's office before the lien sale, because payment plans are sometimes on the table.
| Key Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 1 | Assessment lien date; tax year begins |
| October (varies) | Bills mailed by Revenue Commissioner |
| December 31 | Payment deadline; no penalty if paid by this date |
| January 1 | Taxes become delinquent; interest starts |
| ~3 years delinquent | State may sell tax lien certificate |
How do you appeal your Mobile County property tax assessment?
You have a real shot at winning if the county's estimate of your home's fair market value is higher than what you could actually sell it for. The process isn't complicated. The deadline is firm.
Step 1: Review your assessment notice. The Revenue Commissioner mails these. When yours lands, check the assessed fair market value, the assessment ratio applied, and the exemptions credited. All three can be wrong.
Step 2: File a written protest with the Revenue Commissioner. You have 30 days from the assessment notice date [2]. This is not negotiable. Miss it and you wait another year.
Step 3: Informal review. Most disputes end here. You present evidence of market value (recent comparable sales, an independent appraisal, or documented physical errors), and the Commissioner's office adjusts or holds firm.
Step 4: Appeal to the Board of Equalization. If the informal review doesn't settle it, your next stop is the Mobile County Board of Equalization (BOE). Under Alabama Code Section 40-3-1, each county has a BOE with authority to correct assessments [5]. File within the window listed on your notice.
Step 5: Circuit Court. If the BOE upholds the assessment and you still disagree, appeal to the Mobile County Circuit Court within 30 days of the BOE's decision [5]. This step makes sense only when the dollar amount justifies the time.
For a straightforward residential appeal, skip the attorney and the contingency firm. What you need is three to five well-chosen comparable sales showing a lower market value, printed from the MLS or county sales records and laid out so the comparison is obvious. The TaxFightBack DIY appeal kit shows you exactly how to find and present those comps, which is the make-or-break part of any residential case.
Curious how the process differs across big urban counties? The Maricopa property tax and Broward County property taxes guides cover two very different systems.
What evidence actually wins a Mobile County property tax appeal?
The Revenue Commissioner and the Board of Equalization respond most to recent arms-length sales of comparable properties. "Comparable" means similar square footage, similar age, similar condition, and close in location, ideally within a half-mile to a mile and sold within 12 months of the assessment date [5].
Here's what works:
- Three to six closed sales of homes like yours, with the differences noted (square footage, lot size, age, condition). Pull these from the county's own sales data or a licensed appraiser's database. County-sourced data carries weight.
- A full independent appraisal from an Alabama-licensed appraiser. This costs $400 to $600 for a residential property and holds the most weight if your case reaches circuit court.
- Documentation of physical errors. If county records say your home has 2,800 square feet and it actually has 2,100, that alone can win. Bring a measuring tape or a licensed measurement certificate.
- Photos of deferred maintenance, structural damage, or conditions the mass appraisal model never saw.
What flops: arguing your taxes are "too high" with no evidence of market value, or comparing your bill to a neighbor's without pulling the actual assessment records. The standard of review is fair market value, full stop.
Neighboring Alabama counties like Madison and Jefferson use the same framework, and the Alabama Department of Revenue's appraisal manual sets methodology statewide [1]. To see comparable-evidence strategy in a large urban system, the Miami-Dade property taxes guide leans heavily on comparable sales data.
How do you pay Mobile County property taxes online?
The Mobile County Revenue Commissioner takes online payments through its official portal. You'll need your parcel number, which sits on your tax bill or in the Revenue Commissioner's property search tool at mobilecountyal.gov [2].
Accepted methods shift year to year but usually include credit card, debit card, and eCheck. Card payments typically carry a convenience fee around 2.5%, so eCheck is cheaper when it's offered. The online tax payment for property guide covers how to confirm you're on a secure official portal and how to save a receipt that proves you paid by December 31.
You can also pay in person at the Revenue Commissioner's office or drop a check in the mail. On mailed payments the postmark date counts, so mail by December 28 to leave yourself room.
If your mortgage lender escrows your property taxes, confirm they're paying on time. Escrow errors happen more than lenders admit, and if the payment is late, the penalty and interest fall on you, not the lender.
How does Mobile County property tax compare to other Alabama counties and similar U.S. counties?
Alabama sits near the bottom of the property tax rankings nationally. The Tax Foundation puts Alabama's average effective rate at roughly 0.40% to 0.41% of market value, among the five lowest in the country [6].
Within Alabama, Mobile County lands mid-pack. Counties like Shelby and Jefferson (Birmingham suburbs) often run higher total millage because of denser municipal and school levies.
Across state lines the gap is stark. The effective rate in Mobile County for a $200,000 home is often 0.4% to 0.5% of market value. That same home in Hennepin County, Minnesota might carry an effective rate above 1.2%. Santa Clara County, California homeowners pay on a higher assessed base after a sale but sit under the 1% Prop 13 cap.
A low effective rate means appeals here are less dramatic than in high-rate states. But if your assessed fair market value is 20% or 30% too high, the math still comes to hundreds of dollars a year, every year, compounding. An appeal that takes four hours and costs nothing but your time is worth doing.
Nobody has clean consolidated data on Mobile County appeal success rates specifically. The closest proxy is Alabama Department of Revenue statewide data, which suggests taxpayers who file formal BOE appeals win some reduction roughly 30% to 40% of the time. That figure moves year to year, and the Department doesn't publish it in one tidy table; it comes from aggregate BOE outcome reports [5].
What property tax records and data can you access for free in Mobile County?
Mobile County keeps a public property search tool on the Revenue Commissioner's website [2]. Look up any parcel by owner name, address, or parcel ID. The record shows assessed value, exemptions, ownership history, and often basic property characteristics.
For comparable sales research, the Revenue Commissioner also keeps sales validation data. Alabama requires a Real Estate Sales Validation Form (Form RT-1) for most arms-length transactions, and that data feeds the county's mass appraisal model [9]. Request recent sales data through the Revenue Commissioner's office.
The GIS mapping system for Mobile County lets you pull neighboring parcels' assessed values, which helps you spot whether your assessment is an outlier on your block.
For deed and ownership records, the Mobile County Probate Court holds the official records, many searchable online through its recording system [7].
Free tools to use before paying anyone: 1. Revenue Commissioner property search (mobilecountyal.gov) 2. County sales data or a public site like Zillow or Redfin for recent comparable sales 3. Alabama Department of Revenue appraisal guidelines (revenue.alabama.gov [1]) to see what methodology the assessor is supposed to follow
To compare how other large counties handle public data access, the Contra Costa County property tax guide covers one of the more transparent portals out there.
Are there special rules for inherited, rented, or recently purchased property in Mobile County?
A few situations trip people up:
Inherited property. Alabama has no estate or inheritance tax at the state level. When property transfers at death, the assessed value does not reset to a new market value the way it does under California's rules. The new owner should file a fresh homestead exemption application if they intend to occupy the property as their primary residence [3].
Rental property. Residential rentals are still assessed at 10% of fair market value, same as owner-occupied homes. They don't qualify for homestead exemptions, though. Commercial rental property (apartments, strip centers) is assessed at 20% of fair market value [1].
Recently purchased property. If you just bought at arm's length, your purchase price is the best evidence of fair market value. If the Revenue Commissioner's assessed fair market value runs well above what you paid, you have a strong case for an immediate appeal. Bring the HUD-1 or Closing Disclosure to your protest meeting.
New construction. Partially finished homes can be assessed mid-year based on percent completion as of October 1. If your home was under construction on that date, ask the Revenue Commissioner how they estimated the completion percentage. Errors here are common.
Investors holding property across multiple counties and states should compare assessment practices. The Hillsborough County property tax and Ramsey County property tax guides cover two counties with very different approaches to investment and rental property.
How does the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's office work, and who actually sets your assessment?
The Mobile County Revenue Commissioner is an elected official, currently Don Davis as of this writing, in charge of both assessing property values and collecting taxes [2]. Many Alabama counties split these jobs between a separate assessor and tax collector. Mobile County combines them.
The assessment process runs on computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA), which estimates market value using statistical models built on recent sales. The Alabama Department of Revenue sets the standards and audits the county's ratio studies to make sure assessed values track actual sales prices [1].
If the county's sales ratio study drifts outside the acceptable range, the state can order reassessment. That's the lever keeping mass appraisal systems roughly calibrated, though it doesn't catch individual parcel errors.
The Revenue Commissioner's office also handles personal property taxes on business equipment and motor vehicles, separate from real property.
Contact info you'll actually use:
- Revenue Commissioner main office: 3925 Michael Blvd, Suite G, Mobile, AL 36609
- Phone: (251) 574-8530 (verify current number at mobilecountyal.gov)
- Website: mobilecountyal.gov [2]
To see how a large combined assessor-collector office in a major metro stacks up, the NYC property tax guide covers one of the most complex systems in the country.
What should you do right now if your assessment looks too high?
You have a narrow window. Here's the order of operations.
First, find your assessment notice and write down the county's estimated fair market value and the mailing date. Your 30-day protest window runs from that date [2]. Already past 30 days but still inside the tax year? Call the Revenue Commissioner's office anyway. Informal corrections sometimes happen outside the formal deadline when the error is obvious.
Second, pull three to five comparable sales from the county's own data or a real estate site. Look for homes that sold in the past 12 months, within a mile of yours, with similar bed/bath count and square footage. Note the differences.
Third, do the math. If the county's fair market value estimate is $280,000 and your comps average $230,000, you have a $50,000 overassessment. At a 10% assessment ratio and 45 mills, that costs you about $225 a year. Over five years (typical before the county revalues), that's $1,125. The appeal takes one afternoon.
Fourth, file the written protest. Do it by mail or in person. Keep a copy and get a date-stamped receipt or confirmation.
Fifth, show up prepared. Bring your comps printed and organized. Be specific on dollar values and sales dates. The Revenue Commissioner's staff aren't adversaries; most respond well to a clear, factual case.
Want a step-by-step comp selection guide and a protest letter template? The TaxFightBack appeal kit has both, and you keep 100% of any reduction you win.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Mobile County, Alabama?
Mobile County has no single rate. Total millage depends on where your property sits. Unincorporated county parcels typically run 35 to 42 mills; properties inside city limits add municipal levies and often reach 44 to 54 mills. The Revenue Commissioner publishes current millage by district at mobilecountyal.gov. Homes are assessed at 10% of fair market value, so the effective rate as a share of market value usually lands around 0.40% to 0.55%.
When are Mobile County property taxes due?
The payment deadline is December 31 of each tax year. Alabama's tax year runs October 1 to September 30, so bills arrive in October and are due by December 31. Taxes go delinquent January 1, and interest runs at 12% per year under Alabama Code Section 40-5-7. If your lender escrows taxes, confirm payment was made; the penalty falls on you if the lender slips.
How do I apply for a homestead exemption in Mobile County?
File with the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's office at 3925 Michael Blvd, Suite G, Mobile, AL 36609. You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence. The deadline is December 31 of the tax year to receive the exemption for that year. Once approved, it renews automatically. Seniors 65 or older and permanently disabled homeowners may qualify for added or full exemptions under Alabama Code Section 40-9-19.
How do I appeal my Mobile County property tax assessment?
File a written protest with the Revenue Commissioner within 30 days of your assessment notice. Bring comparable sales data showing your home's market value is lower than the county's estimate. If it's unresolved, appeal to the Mobile County Board of Equalization. A further appeal to Mobile County Circuit Court is available within 30 days of the BOE decision. No attorney is required for the first two steps; most residential cases settle at informal review.
What is Mobile County's assessment ratio for residential property?
Residential property (Class III) is assessed at 10% of fair market value under Alabama law, set by the Alabama Department of Revenue. If your home has a market value of $300,000, the taxable assessed value is $30,000. Commercial and industrial property is assessed at 20%, and public utilities at 30%. This low ratio is why Alabama's effective property tax rates rank among the lowest in the nation.
Can a 100% disabled veteran get property tax exemption in Mobile County?
Yes. A veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating qualifies for complete exemption from ad valorem property tax on their primary residence in Alabama under Alabama Code Section 40-9-21. Apply at the Mobile County Revenue Commissioner's office with documentation of your VA disability rating. The exemption covers both state and local levies on the home and up to 160 acres of surrounding land.
What happens to Mobile County property taxes if I don't pay?
Taxes unpaid after December 31 go delinquent and accrue 12% annual interest under Alabama Code Section 40-5-7. After about three years of delinquency, the state can sell a tax lien certificate to a third party, who can then collect the debt plus interest. If the debt goes unredeemed, a tax deed can eventually transfer ownership. Contact the Revenue Commissioner's office early; payment arrangements may be available.
How do I find my Mobile County parcel number and property records?
Search by owner name, address, or parcel ID at the Revenue Commissioner's official site, mobilecountyal.gov. Records show assessed value, exemptions, ownership history, and basic property characteristics. For deed records and legal ownership history, the Mobile County Probate Court holds the official recording system. Both are free public tools you should use before filing any appeal or exemption claim.
Does Mobile County reassess property every year?
The Revenue Commissioner reviews values annually, but full reappraisals of all parcels happen on a cycle rather than every year. Alabama requires counties to meet ratio study standards set by the Department of Revenue, which triggers reassessment if assessed values drift too far from actual sales prices. Individual parcels can be adjusted mid-cycle for a sale, new construction, or a documented error. Check with the Revenue Commissioner's office for the current reappraisal schedule.
How do Mobile County property taxes compare to other Alabama counties?
Mobile County lands roughly mid-range within Alabama. Counties with denser suburban development around Birmingham (Shelby, Jefferson) often carry higher total millage from heavier school and municipal levies. Alabama as a whole ranks among the five lowest property tax states nationally, with an average effective rate around 0.40% to 0.41% of market value per the Tax Foundation. Against major metros in Minnesota or California, Mobile County bills are dramatically lower.
What evidence does the Mobile County Board of Equalization accept for an appeal?
The BOE weighs recent arms-length sales of comparable properties most heavily. Ideal comps sit within one mile, sold within 12 months of the assessment date, and match on size, age, and condition. A licensed appraisal carries real weight, especially in circuit court. Documentation of physical errors in county records (wrong square footage, incorrect bedroom count) is also strong. The BOE does not cut assessments on financial hardship alone.
Is there a senior freeze or circuit breaker program in Mobile County?
Alabama has no statewide property tax circuit breaker program like some other states. But homeowners 65 or older with qualifying income are exempt from the state portion of ad valorem tax and may get added county exemptions under Alabama Code Sections 40-9-19 and 40-9-21. Contact the Revenue Commissioner's office to find which exemption tier you qualify for, since income thresholds and benefit levels change periodically.
How does Mobile County property tax work for new construction?
New construction is assessed on percent completion as of October 1, the annual lien date. If your home was 60% complete on that date, the county estimates value at roughly 60% of the finished structure's value. Errors in completion estimates are common and worth checking. Once construction is done, the full assessed value applies the following year. File your homestead exemption application promptly after the home becomes your primary residence.
Can I pay Mobile County property taxes online?
Yes. The Revenue Commissioner accepts online payments through the official portal at mobilecountyal.gov. You'll need your parcel number from your tax bill or the property search tool. Card payments typically carry a convenience fee around 2.5%; eCheck is usually free or lower cost. Online payment must clear by December 31 to avoid delinquency. Keep a receipt showing the payment date as proof if a dispute comes up later.
Sources
- Alabama Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division: Residential property is assessed at 10% of fair market value; commercial at 20%; assessment ratios and appraisal methodology set by Alabama Department of Revenue statewide.
- Mobile County Revenue Commissioner, Official Website: Current millage rates by district, payment portal, property search tool, exemption application information, and Revenue Commissioner contact details.
- Alabama Code Section 40-9-19, Homestead and Senior Exemptions: Homestead exemption provides $4,000 assessed value reduction; homeowners 65 or older or permanently disabled may qualify for full state levy exemption.
- Alabama Code Section 40-5-7, Interest on Delinquent Taxes: Delinquent Alabama property taxes accrue interest at 12% per year.
- Alabama Code Section 40-3-1, Board of Equalization: Each county Board of Equalization has authority to correct assessments; circuit court appeal available within 30 days of BOE decision.
- Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State: Alabama's average effective property tax rate is approximately 0.40% to 0.41% of market value, among the five lowest in the nation.
- Mobile County Probate Court, Official Recording System: Deed and ownership records for Mobile County are maintained by the Probate Court and available through their online recording system.
- Alabama Code Section 40-9-21, Disabled Veteran Exemption: Veterans with 100% service-connected disability rating qualify for complete exemption from property tax on their primary residence and up to 160 acres.
- Alabama Department of Revenue, Real Estate Sales Validation: Alabama requires Form RT-1 Real Estate Sales Validation for most arms-length transactions; this data feeds county mass appraisal models.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, Alabama Property Tax Data: Alabama median property taxes paid and owner-occupied housing characteristics used for effective rate comparisons.