A homeowner's guide to tax rolls

by Tracy Dugdale-Munoz, Realtor DRE#01746630 - NBPM|Property Management|Real Estate Sales 07/02/2023

Tax roll is a term you may have encountered when figuring out your property taxes. But what exactly is a tax roll, and why does it matter to the average homeowner? If you're wondering how this term factors in to your situation and real estate overall, here is a short guide to help:

What are tax rolls?

A tax roll is a list of all taxable properties in a specific area. Tax rolls are also called assessment rolls, and are maintained by the corresponding municipal government. There are usually multiple levels of tax roll, including local, county, state and national databases.

What are the different types of tax rolls?

The two main types of tax rolls are property tax rolls and motor vehicle tax rolls. There might also be separate rolls for tracking other types of taxable assets not fitting into either category.

Why are property tax rolls important?

Tax rolls are important for several reasons. They serve as an official record of property taxes in a given area and for specific properties. They contain detailed information about each property, including legal description, property classification, the assessed value of the land and improvements made, the individual ratepayer's contact information and owners code.

Having this information all in one place makes it easy to track variables like home values and corresponding tax obligations. It also means issues involving unpaid taxes can be spotted and dealt with accordingly by the local tax authorities. While property tax rolls may not be important during everyday life for most homeowners, they are important to understand when buying, selling or refinancing a property.

About the Author
Author

Tracy Dugdale-Munoz, Realtor DRE#01746630 - NBPM|Property Management|Real Estate Sales

I have been in Real Estate since 2006, I’m a consistent, successful Real Estate Agent. My clients say “You worked tirelessly on our behalf, in the highly professional manner that every client hopes for in their real estate agent.” I am not your average Real Estate agent. I am a woman with a business philosophy that reads very much like the words from my former exec at Pacific Bell: “The relationship doesn’t end with the sale; it starts after the sale is made.” Relationships; this has been the pinnacle to my success. People from all walks of life find themselves at ease with my knowledge and dedication to quality service.