NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County property owners can challenge their skyrocketing tax bills by disputing the higher value officials have placed on the homes, buildings and land.
With taxpayers beginning to receive their annual bills Saturday from Adams County Tax Collector Terrence Bailey, “horror stories” are being heard about how much they are, said Adams County Supervisor Kevin Wilson.
“People are really upset,” he said Monday as the Board of Supervisors held its first meeting of the new year.
Properties were reassessed in 2025, causing value to increase to account for inflation and other contributing factors. However, taxpayers can attempt to get their taxes lowered by appealing to the county tax assessor and Board of Supervisors by arguing their properties have been overvalued, said county board attorney Scott Slover.
Slover noted the board in past years has made property-value adjustments on some occasions for specific parcels.
Wilson said he expects “a boardroom full of people” complaining in the coming weeks as their high tax bills are due to be paid the first of February.
“It’s a mess, and it’s going to be a worse mess later” as taxpayers fully realize how much more they owe, Wilson said.
The tax bills are the combined total of what property owners owe Natchez, Adams County and the Natchez-Adams School District.
Adams County has been through a state-mandated reassessment process that has seen property values rise due to inflation and other contributing factors.
In Mississippi, property tax values are calculated based on several factors, including how the property is used, its construction and its current market value. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires counties to reassess property values every four years to reflect changes in the market and ensure tax equity.
The annual property tax bills are normally mailed out in December, but they were delayed because the Adams County tax collector had to switch to a new contractor for processing the paper notices.
The taxes can be paid by mail, online or by visiting the tax collector’s office in the Adams County Courthouse. Taxes paid after the February deadline have an added financial penalty.
To view Adams County property tax information that includes how much is owed for each parcel, go to:
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