Summary (updated 5/4/26): With the deadline for property tax reappraisals set for May 5th, there is no indication that the County has considered the postponement we suggested.

Update 4/27/26: Recent discussions at the County level have not yet resulted in changes to the property tax appeal deadline. This issue remains especially important as rising property values continue to place pressure on homeowners, particularly those with fixed or limited incomes. Ensuring a fair and accessible appeals process is a key component of preventing displacement and promoting housing stability. If you haven’t yet taken action on this item, we encourage you to do so using our template below.

Updated 4/20/26: Two weeks ago, we urged the County to extend the deadline for property tax appeals to give residents more time to respond to rising assessments. The County has not responded to this request. As property values increase, tight deadlines can place additional strain on homeowners—particularly those with fewer resources—highlighting the need for a broader, proactive approach to preventing displacement.

Buncombe County has set a May 5 deadline for homeowners to file formal appeals of their 2026 property reappraisals. Given the unusually large valuation increases and the likelihood of a high volume of appeals, this deadline does not give residents sufficient time to review their assessments, gather evidence, and prepare filings. We recommend that the County extend the appeal deadline to May 20, which would provide homeowners additional time while still allowing adequate time for the Board of Equalization and Review to complete its work before tax-rate adoption.

The Facts: Buncombe County mailed new property reappraisal notices in February 2026 as part of its countywide revaluation. Property owners who disagree with their new assessed value can first pursue an informal review with the Assessor’s Office. If they remain dissatisfied, they may file a formal appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review (BER), an independent body that hears valuation disputes and can adjust assessed values.

The County has set May 5, 2026 as the deadline to file formal appeals to the Board of Equalization and Review. After that date, the Board will begin hearing appeals, with the expectation that decisions will be made in time for the County to finalize its tax base prior to adoption of the FY2027 budget and tax rate in June. Property owners who disagree with the Board’s decision may then appeal further to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission.

Residents can read more about the appeals process and get started with filing one here.

Our Assessment: This year’s reappraisal resulted in significant increases in assessed values for many properties across Buncombe County. When valuation changes are large, it is reasonable to expect a higher-than-normal number of appeals. Preparing a meaningful appeal takes time: property owners must review comparable sales data, gather documentation, and often seek assistance. A May 5 deadline provides a relatively short window, particularly for homeowners with fewer resources or those navigating the process for the first time.

Other North Carolina counties provide more time. For example, Orange County allows formal appeals from early April through June 30, when its Board of Equalization and Review adjourns. Forsyth County has similarly accepted formal appeals through June 30 in recent reappraisal cycles. These examples show that counties can allow later deadlines by keeping their Boards open longer and still complete their tax-rate and budget processes.

We are concerned that Buncombe County’s earlier deadline may discourage valid appeals and disproportionately affect residents with fewer resources, including seniors and long-time homeowners facing large increases. Extending the deadline to May 20 would better align Buncombe with other counties with large populations, give homeowners additional time to prepare, and still leave sufficient time for the Board of Equalization and Review to conduct hearings before the tax rate is set. This modest adjustment would improve fairness and accessibility without disrupting the County’s budget timeline.

The Ask: We invited you to join us in asking the Buncombe County Commission to extend the deadline for property reappraisal appeals. 

Report Back

Total GAP Supporter Actions Taken: 36

Recipients and Responses:

Buncombe County Commission

• County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards: No response
• County Commissioner Al Whitesides: No response
• County Commissioner Drew Ball: No response
• County Commissioner Jennifer Horton: No response
• County Commissioner Martin Moore: No response
• County Commissioner Parker Sloane: No response
• County Commissioner Terri Wells: No response