Apex homes in Wake County pay 53.71 cents per $100 to the county and 37.35 cents to the town. Bills are due Sept. 1; interest starts after Jan. 5. 919-856-5400.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Rates come from Wake County’s 2026-2027 tax levy report and the Town of Apex’s budget highlights. This page is updated when new rates are adopted each June.
Apex homeowners get one property tax bill a year, from Wake County. It carries two rates: the county’s and the Town of Apex’s. Wake County Tax Administration values the property, mails the bill and collects the money for both.
Who to call
- Tax bills, payments and relief programs: Wake County Tax Administration, 919-856-5400, taxhelp@wake.gov
- Revaluation and value questions: 919-857-3800, revaluation@wake.gov
- In person: Wake County Justice Center, 301 S. McDowell St., Suite 3800, Raleigh, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Look up your property or bill: Wake County real estate search and online tax bill search
The 2026-27 rates
North Carolina rates are set per $100 of assessed value. For the tax year that began July 1, 2026:
| Taxing body | Rate per $100 | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County | $0.5371 | Wake County Board of Commissioners |
| Town of Apex | $0.3735 | Apex Town Council, budget adopted June 9, 2026 |
| Combined | $0.9106 |
On a home assessed at $400,000, that works out to about $2,148 for Wake County and $1,494 for the town, or roughly $3,642 a year. Multiply your own assessed value by the combined rate and divide by 100 for an estimate; the bill is the final word.
A small part of Apex lies in Chatham County. Owners there are billed by Chatham County at Chatham’s rate, plus the Apex town rate; check your parcel in the county search.
Wake County’s rate over five years
The rate fell in 2024 because the countywide revaluation that took effect Jan. 1, 2024, raised assessed values; the county lowered the rate to match. It has risen in each of the two years since. The figures come from the rate table in the county’s tax levy report.
When the bill is due
- July: the annual bill is mailed.
- Sept. 1: the bill is due, under state law. If it has not arrived by then, call the county for a copy.
- Jan. 5: the last day to pay without interest. After that, Wake County adds 2% for January and three-quarters of 1% for each month after, according to its tax bill help page.
You can pay in installments of any amount at any time before Jan. 5 without asking first. Pay online by eCheck with no fee, or by card or digital wallet with a processor fee, at the county’s payment portal. Mailed payments go to Wake County Tax Administration, P.O. Box 580084, Charlotte, NC 28258-0084. The county’s payment page lists the in-person offices, including the Southern Regional Center at 130 N. Judd Parkway NE in Fuquay-Varina.
If you pay through a mortgage escrow account, your lender pays the bill; check that it did.
Registered vehicles are billed separately: the tax is collected with the tag renewal under the state’s Tag & Tax system.
How to appeal your value
Your real estate value reflects market value as of the last countywide revaluation, Jan. 1, 2024. Changes in the market since then, and the tax rate itself, cannot be considered in an appeal, the county says.
According to the county’s appeals page:
- Appeals go to the Board of Equalization and Review, which opens in January and stops taking real estate appeals when it adjourns, usually in early to mid-April.
- The board mails you a hearing date and time.
- If you still disagree, you can appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission within 30 days after the board mails its decision.
Vehicle value appeals must be postmarked within 30 days of the due date on the notice.
The 2027 revaluation
Wake County is revaluing every property for Jan. 1, 2027, and will revalue every two years after that. The county’s revaluation timetable:
- Jan. 19, 2027: results presented to the Board of Commissioners.
- By Jan. 22, 2027: owners start receiving notices of assessed value.
- April 30, 2027: planned deadline to appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review.
The county and the town will each set a new rate for 2027 after the new values are in.
Tax relief for seniors, disabled owners and veterans
North Carolina has no homestead exemption for every homeowner. Wake County runs three state programs, and an owner can use only one. The deadline to apply is June 1, according to the county’s tax relief page.
| Program | Who qualifies | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly or Disabled Exclusion | 65 or older, or totally and permanently disabled, with 2025 income up to $38,800 | Removes $25,000 or up to 50% of the home’s value, whichever is greater |
| Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment | Same, with 2025 income up to $58,200 and five years of ownership and occupancy | Caps the tax at 4% or 5% of income; the rest is deferred and may come due later |
| Disabled Veteran Exclusion | Veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability, or an unmarried surviving spouse; no income limit | Removes up to $45,000 of value |
Apply online or call 919-856-5400 to have a form mailed.
For other costs of living in town, see our trash and recycling guide, which covers the town’s utility-billed services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the property tax rate in Apex, North Carolina?
For the 2026-27 tax year, a home in Apex and Wake County pays $0.5371 per $100 of assessed value to Wake County and $0.3735 per $100 to the Town of Apex, a combined $0.9106.
When are Wake County property taxes due?
Bills are mailed in July and due Sept. 1. You can pay without interest through Jan. 5; after that, interest is 2% for January and three-quarters of 1% each month after.
How do I appeal my property value in Wake County?
File with the Wake County Board of Equalization and Review, which takes appeals from January until it adjourns, usually in early to mid-April. For the 2027 revaluation the planned deadline is April 30, 2027.
When is the next Wake County revaluation?
The next countywide revaluation takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Notices of new values are due to reach owners by Jan. 22, 2027, and revaluations will then happen every two years.
Does North Carolina have a homestead exemption?
Not for every homeowner. Wake County offers three state programs for seniors and disabled owners on limited incomes and for disabled veterans; the application deadline is June 1.
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