Wake Forest's 2026 rate on the Wake County side is $0.9571 per $100 of value: county $0.5371, town $0.42. Pay by Jan. 5, 2027. Call 919-856-5400.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each year when the new rates are set. Facts on this page come from Wake County Tax Administration, Franklin County’s 2026 rate sheet and the Town of Wake Forest budget page.
Wake Forest sits in two counties. Most of the town is in Wake County, where Wake County Tax Administration values property and sends one bill covering both the county and the Town of Wake Forest. Its office is in the Wake County Justice Center, 301 S. McDowell St., Suite 3800, in Raleigh, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except county holidays, according to the county’s 2026 bills page. The northern part of town is in Franklin County, which bills those owners itself.
Who to call
- Wake County Tax Administration: 919-856-5400, taxhelp@wake.gov
- Find or pay a Wake bill: Wake County tax bill search and online payments
- Franklin County tax office: 919-496-2172, 127 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg
- Town budget questions: Wake Forest Town Hall, 919-435-9400
The 2026 rate
The Town of Wake Forest kept its rate at 42 cents per $100 of value in its 2026-27 budget, according to the town’s budget highlights. The Wake County Board of Commissioners adopted its budget June 1 with a 2-cent increase, to 53.71 cents, the county says.
| Taxing unit | 2026 rate per $100 | 2025 rate per $100 |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County | $0.5371 | $0.5171 |
| Town of Wake Forest | $0.4200 | $0.4200 |
| Wake Forest total, Wake County side | $0.9571 | $0.9371 |
| Franklin County | $0.5050 | |
| Wake Forest total, Franklin County side | $0.9250 |
Wake County rates come from the county’s table of rates since 2017; the Franklin County figures from its 2026 rate sheet.
On a home assessed at $500,000 on the Wake side, that is about $2,686 to the county and $2,100 to the town, $4,786 in all, before any exclusion. Other charges on the bill:
- Vehicle fee: $30 a year to the town on each registered vehicle, plus $20 to Wake County.
- Downtown Municipal Service District: an extra 13 cents per $100 for downtown properties, down 1 cent.
- Stormwater fee: $44 a year per equivalent residential unit on the Wake bill; the town’s budget lists residential tiers of $44, $121 and $231 a year.
How the rate has moved
When the bill is due
Wake County bills for 2026 can be paid without interest through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027, the county says on its payment page. You can pay in installments of any amount without asking first, as long as the bill is paid in full by then. After that, interest and collection costs are added. Owners who pay through a mortgage escrow account do not get a paper bill and can look it up online.
- Online: eCheck, card or digital wallets such as PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay; card payments carry a fee from the payment company.
- In person: the Justice Center office or the county’s regional centers.
- By mail: P.O. Box 2331, Raleigh, NC 27602, with the account number on the check.
The county sets up payment plans if you call before the bill is overdue. Franklin County owners should call 919-496-2172 about their bill.
How to appeal your value
Wake County values still reflect the market on Jan. 1, 2024, the last countywide revaluation. Market changes since then, or a new tax rate, cannot be used to lower a value, according to the county’s appeals page.
- Ask the tax office for an informal review.
- File a formal appeal with the Board of Equalization and Review. Appeals must arrive before the board adjourns, usually in early to mid-April.
- If you still disagree, appeal to the N.C. Property Tax Commission within 30 days after the board mails its decision.
The 2027 revaluation
Every Wake County property gets a new value effective Jan. 1, 2027. The county plans to present results to commissioners Jan. 19, 2027, and mail new values a few days later with appeal instructions, according to its revaluation page. After that, Wake revaluations move to every two years. Questions: 919-857-3800 or revaluation@wake.gov.
Tax relief for seniors, disabled owners and veterans
North Carolina offers three programs, and you can use only one, according to Wake County’s tax relief page:
- Senior and disabled exclusion: 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, with a low income. Excludes part of the home’s value.
- Circuit breaker deferment: same age or disability rule, plus five years owning and living in the home. Caps the bill at a share of income.
- Disabled veteran exclusion: for an honorably discharged veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability, or an unmarried surviving spouse.
The deadline was June 1. For 2026, Wake County accepts late applications for good cause through Dec. 31, 2026.
What this means for you
- Your 2026 Wake County bill is due without interest through Jan. 5, 2027.
- New Wake values arrive in late January 2027. Read the notice and note the appeal deadline.
- Check whether you qualify for relief before June 1, 2027.
More on homes: Wake Forest home prices and our weekly real estate transfers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Wake Forest?
For 2026 a Wake Forest property in Wake County pays the county rate of $0.5371 and the town rate of $0.42 per $100 of assessed value, $0.9571 in all. In the Franklin County part of town the total is $0.925.
Did Wake Forest raise its property tax rate?
No. The town rate stayed at 42 cents per $100 for 2026. Wake County raised its rate 2 cents, to 53.71 cents, so bills on the Wake side went up.
When are Wake County property taxes due?
Bills for 2026 can be paid without interest through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027. Partial payments of any amount are allowed as long as the balance is paid by then.
How do I appeal my property value in Wake County?
Ask the tax office for an informal review, then appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review, which usually adjourns in early to mid-April. New values for the 2027 revaluation arrive in late January 2027.
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