Politics
Shelby County 2027 Budget Keeps Memphis Property Tax Rate Unchanged
Homeowners across Memphis will see no rate increase in their annual property tax bills under the adopted fiscal plan.
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How we reported this
The Shelby County Commission adopted the fiscal year 2027 operating budget on July 7, which freezes the countywide property tax rate at its existing level for all Memphis properties.
Local governments set these rates each spring to align revenue with planned spending on services that begin July 1. The freeze follows several years of rising assessed values tied to new construction and home price growth recorded in the Shelby County Assessor’s office.
Daily costs for Memphis residents
Memphis homeowners will pay the same rate per $100 of assessed value as last year. A resident whose home is assessed at the median level will owe the same amount in county taxes, though the total bill can still shift if the city portion or special district levies change. Renters may see indirect effects if landlords pass along any city-level adjustments in lease renewals.
Funding for road maintenance crews, the Memphis Police Department overtime budget, and the Memphis Public Libraries branch operating hours stays tied to the same revenue base. The budget document lists property taxes as one of the primary general fund sources supporting these line items.
Local analysis and next steps
Policy analysts at the University of Memphis have noted that holding the rate steady lets households budget without an automatic increase. Community advocates in the South Memphis and Frayser neighborhoods have pointed out that stable bills can ease pressure on fixed-income residents who already face higher utility costs.
The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2027. County staff will issue updated tax statements in October based on the unchanged rate, after which residents can appeal assessments through the standard December process.