Knox County Tennessee 2026 Property & Public Record Guide
Search Knox County Reappraisal Values, KGIS Parcels, Trustee Taxes and Deeds
Knox County completed a countywide real-property reappraisal for 2026, so homeowners are seeing new market values, new assessed values and a fresh appeal cycle. The Knox County Property Assessor determines the value and classification, the Knox County Trustee collects county property taxes, and the Register of Deeds maintains legal real-estate documents.
The requested “Knox County property assessor indictment” wording also refers to a real public-record event. Property Assessor Phil Ballard was indicted in August 2025 on one count of official misconduct connected with county-vehicle use. That criminal case is separate from the parcel-search, valuation, appeal and tax-payment systems explained below.
Search owner, address or parcel records
Decode the 2026 countywide reappraisal
Check appeals, Trustee taxes and payment fees
Separate indictment facts from property records
Property Assessor
Phil Ballard
Assessor phone
865-215-2360
Residential ratio
25%
Tax payment office
Knox County Trustee
Last verified
August 7, 2026
The 2026 Reappraisal Is Complete and Most Residential Appeal Windows Have Passed
Knox County reappraised all real property in 2026. New values were mailed during May, residential informal appeals were handled during the spring, and owners who continued disputing values could move into the County Board of Equalization process.
Residential informal appeals
The current Property Assessor site says residential informal appeals have ended.
Commercial / industrial
The live informal-appeal page currently identifies its remaining form as commercial/industrial only.
State-level deadline
The Assessor calendar lists August 1 or 45 days after the County Board decision notice, whichever is later, as the general State Board appeal rule.
August 7 does not automatically mean every appeal right is gone. A County Board decision mailed later can create its own 45-day State Board period. Use the date on the actual decision notice.
Property Assessor vs Trustee vs Register of Deeds
Property Assessor
- Appraised market value
- Assessment classification
- 25%, 30%, 40% or other statutory ratio
- Property characteristics
- Reappraisal
- Greenbelt
- Assessment appeals
- Mailing-address updates
County Trustee
- County property-tax bills
- Payments and balances
- Penalty / delinquency
- Tax relief
- Senior Tax Freeze
- Delinquent bank-draft plans
- County tax sales
- Receipts
Register of Deeds
- Warranty deeds
- Deeds of trust
- Releases
- Liens
- Property plats
- Instrument numbers
- Certified copies
- Property Fraud Alert
Inside the City of Knoxville? City properties can have a separate City of Knoxville property-tax obligation in addition to Knox County tax. Use the city Revenue Office for the city portion rather than assuming the Trustee handles both bills.
Choose Your Knox County Property Task
Find a parcel
Use Property Lookup or KGIS and match owner, address and parcel number.
Review 2026 reappraisal
Compare Total Appraised value, property details and classification.
Check an appeal
Identify whether you are at informal, County Board or State Board level.
Calculate tax
Apply the statutory assessment percentage before applying the final tax rate.
Pay county tax
Use the Trustee for the payable county account and receipt.
Research the indictment
Use the Comptroller and Criminal Court—not parcel records—for criminal-case information.
Jump to a Knox County Property Topic
How to Search Knox County Property Records
Open Knox County Property Lookup.
Use Knox County Real Property Search.
Accept the county data-use disclaimer.
The property system warns that records are provided without warranties and prohibits automated data mining.
Search the strongest identifier you have.
Owner, property address and parcel information can also be cross-checked through KGIS.
Open the exact parcel record.
Check owner, parcel ID, address and land/building information before relying on the value.
Open the Values section.
The Property Assessor’s own tax-calculator instructions say the Total Appraised amount appears under the Values tab.
Verify property characteristics.
Compare square footage, age, construction type, condition, land size and improvements with the real property.
Check ownership timing.
The Assessor says a newly recorded deed can take about a week to update in its public system.
Use a field review for a factual problem.
If the record shows an improvement that no longer exists or incorrect physical data, use the Assessor’s field-review route.
Recent buyer: If the deed was recorded more than a month ago and the Assessor record still shows incorrect ownership, call 865-215-2360.
Eight Knox County Property Fields Worth Verifying
Parcel ID
Match the assessor record, KGIS map, deed research and tax account.
Owner
Useful for research but should be confirmed against the newest recorded deed after a sale.
Property Address
Verify situs and whether the parcel lies inside Knoxville city limits.
Total Appraised
The Property Assessor’s market-value estimate before Tennessee’s classification percentage.
Assessed Value
Appraised value multiplied by the statutory ratio for the property class.
Classification
Residential, farm, commercial, industrial, public utility or business personal property.
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions, age, construction, condition, building type and land features can affect mass appraisal.
Tax District
Determines whether only county tax or both city and county taxes apply.
Use KGIS to Match the Parcel, Map and Ownership Record
Open KGIS.
Visit KGIS.org.
Search by Address, Parcel or Owner.
Those three search modes are available directly from the KGIS portal.
Open KGIS Maps.
Use the general mapping application for parcels, ownership, roads, aerials and related local-government layers.
Compare aerial history when useful.
KGIS includes historical aerial imagery for multiple years.
Match Parcel ID before using a boundary.
Do not choose a parcel simply because the aerial outline appears to match the house.
KGIS property lines are general reference data. The Assessor specifically says a survey is required when exact property-line information is needed.
What Changed in the Knox County 2026 Reappraisal?
Knox County moved through a full real-property reappraisal during 2026. The office uses field inspections, permit and demolition information, market activity, comparable sales and mass-appraisal techniques to establish updated values.
All real property reappraised
The Property Assessor announced in April 2026 that the countywide reappraisal had been completed.
New two-year cycle
The Assessor’s current FAQ says Knox County is now on a two-year reappraisal schedule.
Next reappraisal
The Assessor’s reappraisal guidance identifies 2028 as the next scheduled countywide update.
Reappraisal does not equal the same percentage tax increase. Tennessee’s certified-rate process requires tax rates to be adjusted after a reappraisal so a jurisdiction cannot simply collect a windfall solely because the total appraisal base increased.
Individual bills can still move. Revenue neutrality applies to the jurisdiction’s overall base, not to guaranteeing that every individual parcel pays exactly the same amount as before.
How Knox County Converts Appraised Value Into Assessed Value
Residential
25%
$100,000 appraisal → $25,000 assessment.
$100,000 appraisal → $25,000 assessment.
Farm
25%
Same statutory assessment percentage as residential real property.
Same statutory assessment percentage as residential real property.
Commercial / Industrial
40%
A $500,000 appraisal produces $200,000 assessed value before other adjustments.
A $500,000 appraisal produces $200,000 assessed value before other adjustments.
Business Personal Property
30%
Businesses separately report taxable personal property.
Businesses separately report taxable personal property.
Public utility property is assessed at 55% under the Assessor’s current classification table.
Appraised Value
Market-value estimate from the Property Assessor.
Class Percentage
Residential/farm 25%, commercial 40%, business personal 30%.
Assessed Value
Appraised value multiplied by the applicable classification ratio.
Final Tax Rate
The governing body’s applicable rate is applied to assessed value.
Do not use the Assessor calculator as a final 2026 bill. The official calculator still warns that it reflects the 2025 rate and that 2026 rates are set separately. Use the Trustee’s actual 2026 account once the new bill is posted.
Knox County 2026 Property Assessment Appeal Process
Assessment date
Ownership, valuation and tax-map status are tied to the annual assessment date.
Reappraisal notice
Owners received updated values during the 2026 reappraisal.
Informal review
Residential informal filing occurred during the reappraisal review period.
Results
Informal results were scheduled for mid-to-late June.
County Board
Formal county appeal preserves further rights.
State deadline
General rule is Aug. 1 or 45 days after County Board notice, whichever is later.
Further review
State Board / administrative-law process follows a timely County Board appeal.
Start with objective market evidence.
Knox County recommends recent comparable sales, a recent purchase or an independent appraisal less than a year old.
Check factual property errors.
Verify size, condition, construction, land features and improvements.
Do not appeal the tax amount itself.
The Assessor states that the amount of property tax is not a valid valuation-appeal basis.
Preserve formal appeal rights.
An informal review is not a substitute for a timely County Board appeal when further appeal rights matter.
Save the County Board decision notice.
Its mailing date may control the 45-day State Board filing window.
- 2026 reappraisal notice
- Property Lookup printout
- KGIS parcel information
- Recent comparable sales
- Recent independent appraisal
- Purchase closing documents
- Condition photographs
- Survey or plan for factual errors
Official-page timing conflict: Knox County’s general appeal page says the County Board normally meets in June, while the live 2026 informal-appeal page references the County Board meeting in July after reappraisal results. For a specific 2026 account, rely on the notice and appointment instructions sent for that appeal.
Open Knox County Appeal Guidance
Review the current County Board and State Board appeal process.
What the Knox County Property Assessor Indictment Actually Means
The search phrase in this page’s slug refers to an August 2025 criminal case involving Property Assessor Phil Ballard. It should not be confused with the 2026 property reappraisal or with a criminal allegation concerning an individual property owner.
August 2025 investigation
Tennessee’s Comptroller investigated county vehicle and travel-policy issues involving multiple Knox County offices.
Ballard allegation
The Comptroller reported that Ballard improperly used a county vehicle approximately 150 times while also receiving a $7,600 annual travel allowance.
Repayment
The Comptroller reported that Ballard repaid $2,776.95 after the improper use was identified.
Grand jury action
A Knox County grand jury indicted Ballard on one count of official misconduct in August 2025.
An indictment is an accusation, not a conviction. Ballard pleaded not guilty in August 2025. Reporting later in 2025 said his attorney sought dismissal of the case. This article does not state that Ballard was convicted.
Current office status: As of this article’s August 7, 2026 verification, the official Knox County Property Assessor website continues to identify Phil Ballard as the serving Property Assessor.
Your parcel record remains a separate administrative matter. A criminal charge involving an officeholder does not itself cancel a property appraisal, tax account, deed or appeal deadline.
How to Search and Pay Knox County Property Taxes
Copy the parcel information from the Assessor.
Confirm owner, address and Parcel ID before opening a tax account.
Open the Trustee’s tax lookup.
Use Knox County Property Tax Search.
Match the property carefully.
Confirm parcel and taxpayer information before choosing a payment.
Review the correct tax year.
The 2026 bill is separate from prior-year delinquent balances.
Check city tax separately when applicable.
A property inside Knoxville city limits can owe both city and county property tax.
Save the receipt.
Keep the payment confirmation and later confirm that the Trustee account posts correctly.
Knox County Property Tax Payment Methods and Fees
Credit card
2.5%
Current third-party processing fee.
Current third-party processing fee.
E-check
$1.00
Current third-party processing fee.
Current third-party processing fee.
Phone
865-215-2305, option 3 for tax-payment service.
Mail
Knox County Trustee
P.O. Box 70
Knoxville, TN 37901
P.O. Box 70
Knoxville, TN 37901
The Trustee also accepts in-person payments at multiple county locations, including Downtown, East, North, West and seasonal/satellite locations.
Farragut location: The Trustee’s current locations page says the Farragut Towne Hall office is closed as of July 22 and scheduled to reopen September 1, 2026.
Knox County Property Tax Calendar
| Date / period | Property action | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Annual assessment date. | Confirm ownership, classification and property condition. |
| March 15 | Greenbelt filing deadline. | Prepare agricultural, forest or open-space application early. |
| May 20 | General assessment-change and exemption calendar milestone. | Review change notices immediately. |
| June / reappraisal review period | County Board equalization activity. | Follow the appointment/date on the specific appeal notice. |
| August 1 or later 45-day period | General State Board appeal deadline rule. | Calculate from the County Board decision notice when it is later. |
| October 1 | Current-year county property taxes become due and payable. | Search the Trustee account and verify the 2026 bill. |
| End of February | Normal last period to pay the preceding year without delinquency. | Do not wait for March 1. |
| March 1 | Preceding-year taxes become delinquent. | Obtain a current payoff including all accrued charges. |
Knox County Tax Relief and Senior Tax Freeze
Elderly / disabled Tax Relief
The Trustee’s current published program uses a $37,530 combined-income limit for the application cycle displayed on its site.
Senior Tax Freeze
Current Trustee guidance uses a $61,920 combined-income limit and age 65 qualification for the displayed program cycle.
Disabled veterans
Qualifying veterans or eligible surviving spouses can receive state property-tax relief without the elderly/disabled income limit.
The current Trustee pages show an April 5, 2026 deadline for the application cycle tied to the 2025 tax year and 2024 income. Do not assume those same dates or income figures will apply unchanged to the next enrollment cycle.
The Senior Tax Freeze locks the qualifying tax amount rather than changing the Property Assessor’s appraisal or assessment record.
Open Knox County Tax Relief & Freeze
Check the newest enrollment cycle, income limits, documents and application deadline.
Knox County Greenbelt Property Rules
Agricultural land
Generally requires at least 15 acres and active agricultural use or another qualifying statutory history.
Forest land
Requires at least 15 acres and a qualifying forest unit managed for sustained-yield tree growth.
Open-space land
Can begin at three acres but requires the planning commission to have designated the qualifying area for preservation.
Greenbelt property is valued according to qualifying present use rather than ordinary highest-and-best-use market value, which can substantially reduce the taxable assessment.
2026 timely deadline: Knox County’s calendar lists March 15 for Greenbelt applications. Removal or nonqualifying changes can create rollback-tax consequences, so review the rules before selling, subdividing or changing use.
Review Knox County Greenbelt
Check agricultural, forest and open-space qualifications and current forms.
Knox County Tax Sale 25 Was Held June 2, 2026
2026 event
Tax Sale 25 was scheduled for June 2, 2026 at The Grande Event Center, 5441 Clinton Highway.
Bidder eligibility
The Trustee requires bidders to be fully current on their own property taxes.
Unsold parcels
Only properties that failed to sell on sale day were eligible for the posted rebid process.
Payment
The Clerk and Master accepts specified certified funds, cash, money order or ACH—not ordinary personal or business checks.
Deferred balance option
Published terms allow a required deposit at the sale with the balance payable under the stated 10-day promissory-note process.
Current status
The Trustee site now provides Tax Sale 25 final results, terms and the decree confirming sale.
Do not assume another tax sale occurs on a fixed monthly schedule. Knox County says sale dates are determined through court proceedings.
Open Knox County Tax Sale
Review the latest sale, final results, terms and future notices.
How to Find Knox County Deeds, Trust Deeds, Releases and Liens
Start with the Property Assessor or KGIS.
Save the owner, Parcel ID, property address and legal-description clues.
Open the Register of Deeds.
Visit Knox County Register of Deeds.
Research the owner and recording history.
The Register maintains warranty deeds, deeds of trust, releases, powers of attorney, liens, plats and other real-property documents.
Use KGIS for deed-copy routing.
The Register’s deed-copy page says users can search the address on KGIS or submit a deed-copy request.
Match the legal description.
A name match alone does not prove that a recorded instrument concerns the same parcel.
Order a certified copy when needed.
Current Register fee guidance lists certified copies at $1 per page.
| Recording item | Current published fee | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Most deeds / trust deeds / quitclaim deeds | $12 up to 2 pages | Additional pages currently $5 each; taxable documents can have additional tax/fee components. |
| Release | $12 for one instrument up to 2 pages | Additional referenced instruments/pages add fees. |
| Plat map | $17 | Confirm live schedule before recording. |
| Certified copy | $1 per page | Use when formal certification is required. |
| Property transfer tax | $0.37 per $100 | Applies to taxable transfers under Tennessee rules. |
| Mortgage tax | $0.115 per $100 after first $2,000 exemption | Verify calculation before recording. |
The Register’s records extend back to the late 1700s, making the office the correct source for historical deed-chain research.
Free Property Fraud Alert: The Register promotes an email alert service that notifies users when a qualifying newly recorded document contains a registered name.
Register for Knox Property Fraud Alerts
Add the names you want monitored and verify unfamiliar recordings directly with the Register.
Knox County Buyer Checklist Before Closing
2026 appraisal
Use the current reappraisal rather than an older tax-year market value.
Residential assessment
Remember that residential assessed value is 25% of appraised value.
Final 2026 tax rate
Do not use the Assessor calculator’s displayed 2025 rate as the final 2026 bill.
City limits
Determine whether the property also owes City of Knoxville tax.
Property facts
Compare square footage, condition, additions and land characteristics with inspection and survey records.
Greenbelt
Check rollback exposure before changing agricultural, forest or qualifying open-space use.
Prior tax balances
Verify Trustee records rather than relying only on the seller’s statement.
Recorded deed
Match owner and legal description through the Register of Deeds.
KGIS vs survey
Use KGIS for research, but a licensed survey for exact boundaries.
Common Knox Property Search Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Property Lookup is unavailable | Maintenance or temporary system outage. | Use KGIS for parcel/owner/address research and return to Property Lookup later. |
| New owner does not appear | Recorded deed has not yet transferred into the Assessor system. | Allow normal processing; contact Assessor if still incorrect after an extended period. |
| 2026 value jumped sharply | Countywide reappraisal updated market values. | Compare sales, physical data and classification before assuming the final tax rises by the same percentage. |
| Tax calculator seems wrong | Official Assessor calculator still notes that it reflects the 2025 rate. | Use the 2026 Trustee account once posted. |
| Residential informal appeal is closed | The 2026 informal residential period ended. | Check County Board/State Board rights shown on your latest notice. |
| Property line appears wrong | KGIS is general mapping, not survey-grade evidence. | Obtain a licensed boundary survey. |
| Tax account and appraisal owner differ | Timing of deed, assessment and billing updates. | Match Parcel ID and recorded deed before paying. |
| Inside Knoxville but only county tax was checked | City and county taxes are administered separately. | Check the City of Knoxville Revenue Office as well. |
| Search for indictment returns property pages | Property and criminal records are different systems. | Use Tennessee Comptroller and Knox Criminal Court Clerk for the case. |
| Online deed search does not establish clear title | Recorded instruments require legal title analysis. | Use a title company or qualified Tennessee real-estate attorney. |
Knox County Property Office Contacts
Knox County Property Assessor
Phil Ballard
City-County Building
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2360
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
City-County Building
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2360
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Knox County Trustee
City-County Building
Suite 427
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2305
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Suite 427
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2305
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Register of Deeds
City-County Building
Suite 225
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2330
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Suite 225
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2330
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Personal Property
Property Assessor
865-215-2362
Business personal property filing and schedule assistance.
865-215-2362
Business personal property filing and schedule assistance.
Criminal Court Clerk
City-County Building
Suite 149
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2375
Suite 149
400 Main Street
Knoxville, TN 37902
865-215-2375
Deed Records Department
Register of Deeds
865-215-2329
Use for deed-copy and property-document questions.
865-215-2329
Use for deed-copy and property-document questions.
One-building advantage: The Property Assessor, Trustee, Register of Deeds and Criminal Court Clerk all have offices in Knoxville’s City-County Building, although they operate as separate offices.
Complete Your Knox County Property Task
Knox County Property Assessor Indictment, Search and Tax FAQs
1. How do I search Knox County, Tennessee property records?
Use the official Knox County Property Assessor Property Lookup system. You can also use KGIS to search by address, parcel or owner. Verify the Parcel ID, owner, property address, classification and Total Appraised value before using the record for an appeal, tax calculation or purchase.
2. Why does “Knox County Property Assessor indictment” appear in searches?
The phrase refers to Property Assessor Phil Ballard’s August 2025 indictment on one count of official misconduct following a Tennessee Comptroller investigation involving county-vehicle use. An indictment is an accusation rather than a conviction, and Ballard pleaded not guilty.
3. Is Phil Ballard still the Knox County Property Assessor in 2026?
Yes. As of this article’s August 7, 2026 verification, the official Knox County Property Assessor website continues to identify Phil Ballard as the serving Property Assessor. The criminal case is separate from ordinary property appraisal, appeal and tax-payment functions.
4. What happened with Knox County property values in 2026?
Knox County completed a countywide real-property reappraisal in 2026 and mailed updated values during the spring. The county is now using a two-year reappraisal schedule, with the next countywide reappraisal planned for 2028.
5. What percentage of appraised value is taxed in Knox County?
Tennessee applies classification percentages before the tax rate. Residential and farm real property are assessed at 25% of appraised value, commercial and industrial property at 40%, business personal property at 30%, and public utility property at 55%.
6. Can I still appeal my Knox County 2026 residential reappraisal?
The Property Assessor currently states that residential informal appeals have ended. Formal appeal rights depend on the stage of the case and dates on the County Board decision. The general State Board deadline is August 1 or within 45 days after the County Board decision notice, whichever is later.
7. When are Knox County 2026 property taxes due?
The Property Assessor calendar states that current-year property taxes become due and payable October 1. The preceding year’s taxes normally become delinquent March 1, so owners should verify and pay the 2026 Trustee bill before the end-of-February delinquency cutoff.
8. What are Knox County online property tax payment fees?
The Knox County Trustee currently lists a 2.5% third-party processing fee for credit-card payments and a $1.00 processing fee for e-check payments. Property taxes can also be paid in person, by phone or by mail.
9. How does Knox County Greenbelt property work?
Qualifying agricultural, forest and open-space property can be valued based on present use rather than ordinary highest-and-best-use market value. Agricultural and forest classifications generally require at least 15 acres, while qualifying designated open-space land can begin at three acres. Knox County lists March 15 as the filing deadline.
10. How do I find Knox County deeds, liens and tax-sale information?
Use the Knox County Register of Deeds for warranty deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens and plats. Use the Knox County Trustee for delinquent-tax sale information. Tax Sale 25 was held June 2, 2026, and the Trustee now posts its final results and confirming documents online.
Official Sources and Editorial Verification
Knox County Property Assessor
Current Property Assessor, office hours, property services and contact information.
2026 Reappraisal
Countywide reappraisal and two-year cycle information.
Understanding Assessment
25%, 30%, 40% and 55% Tennessee assessment classifications.
Assessment Appeals
Informal, County Board and State Board appeal structure.
Knox County Trustee Payments
Online, phone, mail and in-person payment methods plus processing fees.
Tax Relief & Freeze
Current published age, income, documentation and renewal requirements.
Knox Tax Sale
June 2, 2026 Tax Sale 25 information, terms and final results.
Register of Deeds
Deeds, trust deeds, liens, releases, plats and recording information.
Tennessee Comptroller
Official investigation summary and Property Assessor indictment information.
Verified for this August 2026 edition: current Property Assessor listing, 2026 countywide reappraisal, two-year reappraisal cycle, residential informal-appeal status, statutory assessment percentages, appeal calendar, Trustee payment fees, current Tax Relief/Freeze figures, Greenbelt rules, June 2026 tax sale, Register of Deeds fees and the official Tennessee Comptroller indictment summary.
CountyPropertyAppraiser.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Knox County Property Assessor, Knox County Trustee, Knox County Register of Deeds, KGIS, Knox County Criminal Court Clerk, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury or Tennessee State Board of Equalization.
Property values, final 2026 tax rates, appeal status, court-case status, tax-relief qualification limits, processing fees, tax-sale schedules and office information can change. Confirm time-sensitive information with the responsible official office before paying, appealing, purchasing property, bidding at a tax sale or making a legal decision.
Last reviewed: August 7, 2026.
Slug: knox-county-property-assessor-indictment