Shelby County Tennessee Property Records Guide
Search Shelby County TN Appraisal, Assessment and Property Tax Records
The Shelby County Assessor of Property maintains appraisal values, assessed values, parcel maps, ownership information, building characteristics, sales records and business personal-property assessments. Property-tax bills, payments, receipts, delinquent balances, Tax Relief and Tax Freeze services are handled separately by the Shelby County Trustee.
This 2026 guide explains how to locate the correct parcel, read Tennessee assessment percentages, compare land and improvement values, review the 2025 reappraisal, request an appraisal review, file a County Board of Equalization appeal and search deeds or liens through the Register of Deeds.
Search by owner, address or parcel ID
Decode appraisal and assessed values
Review reappraisal and appeal options
Find bills, deeds, relief and tax records
PARCEL → APPRAISAL → ASSESSMENT → TAX
SHELBY PROPERTY RECORD
Parcel ID
Match
Ownership
Verify
Appraised value
Review
Assessment class
Decode
ASSESSMENT RECORD VERIFIED
Assessor of Property
Melvin Burgess
Assessor office
1075 Mullins Station Rd
Reappraisal cycle
2025 to 2029
Editorial verification
August 5, 2026
Current 2026 action position
Shelby County 2026 Assessment and Appeal Status
The regular 2026 County Board of Equalization filing period has ended. Shelby County accepted 2026 assessment appeals from May 1 through June 30, 2026. Property owners should not assume an ordinary appeal can still be filed after that date without a valid statutory basis or a later notice that creates a separate deadline.
Value appears wrong
Review the property card, sales, building characteristics and classification. Contact the Assessor about factual corrections or any remaining review route.
Tax bill appears wrong
Determine whether the problem comes from the appraisal, assessment class, tax rate, municipal tax, payment posting or delinquency.
Property is in tax sale
Contact the Trustee or Chancery Court immediately. A payment arrangement has specific qualification rules and does not stop all charges automatically.
Freshness rule: Property values, ownership, appeal dates, tax balances, payment fees and program income limits can change. Always use the live official record before filing, paying, purchasing or appealing.
Start with the correct office
Three Shelby County Offices Handle Different Property Records
The Assessor, Trustee and Register of Deeds perform different jobs. Starting with the wrong office can delay a correction, payment, title search or appeal.
Assessor of Property
- Appraised and assessed values
- Property classifications
- Ownership and mailing records
- Land and building characteristics
- Parcel maps and neighborhood sales
- Appraisal reviews and assessment information
County Trustee
- County property-tax bills
- Payments and receipts
- Current and delinquent balances
- Payment arrangements
- Tax Relief and Tax Freeze
- Tax-sale and collection information
Register of Deeds
- Deeds and property titles
- Mortgages and releases
- State and federal tax liens
- Plats, maps and conveyances
- Recorded affidavits
- Official document copies
Do not send payment to the Assessor: The Assessor estimates market value and calculates assessed value. The Trustee bills and collects county property taxes. The County Commission and city legislative bodies adopt tax rates.
State-system comparison: Tennessee uses an Assessor of Property and a County Trustee. Florida generally uses a Property Appraiser and Tax Collector. Review this existing
Volusia County Property Appraiser guide to understand how the office structure differs.
Choose the Shelby County Property Task You Need
Search a property record
Use an address, owner name or parcel ID to locate land, improvements, appraisal, assessment and sales information.
Check a property-tax bill
Use the Trustee tax lookup to find county taxes, payments, receipts, delinquent balances and available payment routes.
Review a 2025 reappraisal value
Compare the property card, neighborhood sales, land data, building details and statutory classification.
Correct an owner or address
Determine whether the deed has been recorded, then contact the Assessor about appraisal-roll ownership or mailing information.
Search a deed or lien
Use the Register of Deeds for recorded titles, mortgages, releases, tax liens, plats and conveyances.
Apply for tax assistance
Use the Trustee for Tax Relief, Tax Freeze, Quarterly Pay and qualifying delinquent payment arrangements.
Official appraisal-record workflow
How to Search Shelby County Property Appraisal Records
The Assessor record is the best starting point for appraised value, assessed value, property classification, owner information, parcel identification, land details, building characteristics and recorded sales used for assessment research.
Begin with one identifier.
Use the complete parcel ID when available. Otherwise, begin with the street number and street name or a broad owner-name search.
Search addresses without excessive detail.
Start with the street number and main street name. Remove punctuation, apartment numbers, city names and abbreviations when no result appears.
Search owners using name variations.
Try the surname, company name, trust name, prior owner or abbreviated entity name.
Open every plausible parcel.
One owner may have a residence, adjoining lot, commercial parcel, rental property or business personal-property account.
Match the parcel before relying on it.
Compare the parcel ID, location, owner, legal description, acreage and classification.
Review land and improvement information separately.
Check land value, improvement value, total appraised value, building area, age, quality, condition and property use.
Save a dated copy.
Print or save the property record before requesting a correction, comparing a tax bill or preparing an appeal.
Most precise search order: Parcel ID → simplified address → owner surname or business name → map-based parcel search.
Six Fields to Match Before Using a Shelby County Property Record
Parcel ID
Match the complete identifier.
Owner
Check current and prior names.
Location
Verify the physical address.
Legal description
Compare lot, block or tract.
Classification
Residential, farm or commercial.
Tax year
Match the correct assessment year.
Do not rely on owner name alone: Recently sold properties, estates, trusts, common names and delayed deed processing can produce ownership information that does not match the person currently occupying or managing the property.
Understand what each field means
Shelby County Property Record Field Decoder
| Record field |
What it means |
What to verify |
| Parcel ID |
Unique identifier connected to the mapped property account. |
Use it to match appraisal, tax and map records. |
| Owner |
Name maintained on the assessment roll. |
Compare with the latest recorded deed and any trust or estate documents. |
| Property address |
Physical or situs location of the parcel. |
Do not confuse it with the owner mailing address. |
| Land value |
Estimated market value assigned to the land portion. |
Review acreage, site characteristics, access and neighborhood location. |
| Improvement value |
Estimated value assigned to structures and qualifying improvements. |
Check square footage, year built, condition, construction and additions. |
| Appraised value |
Estimated market value of the taxable property. |
Compare with relevant market evidence and the property’s actual characteristics. |
| Assessment classification |
Statutory class that determines the percentage applied to appraised value. |
Confirm that the property use supports residential, farm, commercial or another class. |
| Assessed value |
Appraised value multiplied by the statutory assessment percentage. |
Use this amount—not full appraised value—in the basic tax formula. |
| Sale history |
Recorded transfers associated with the parcel. |
A recorded price may not represent an arm’s-length market sale. |
| Neighborhood |
Mass-appraisal grouping used for market analysis. |
Compare nearby sales only when property type, size, use and condition are reasonably similar. |
Tennessee statutory percentages
How Shelby County Converts Appraised Value to Assessed Value
Tennessee does not tax every property class at 100% of appraised value. State law assigns an assessment percentage according to classification.
Residential real property
Owner-occupied and other residential property generally uses a 25% assessment ratio.
Farm real property
Qualifying farm real property generally uses a 25% assessment ratio.
Commercial or industrial
Commercial and industrial real property generally uses a 40% ratio.
Business personal property
Locally assessed business tangible personal property generally uses a 30% ratio.
Public utility property
Certain public utility property uses a 55% statutory assessment level.
Classification matters: A $400,000 residential property and a $400,000 commercial property do not begin with the same assessed value. Residential property would generally be assessed at $100,000, while commercial real property would generally be assessed at $160,000.
Countywide valuation cycle
Shelby County 2025 Reappraisal and the Next 2029 Cycle
Shelby County is on a four-year real-property reappraisal cycle. The last countywide reappraisal occurred in 2025, and the next is scheduled for 2029. The Assessor reports more than 353,000 real-estate parcels in the county.
Countywide reappraisal
Real-property values updated using market, cost and income information.
Review and appeals
Owners compare values, correct facts and use available appeal routes.
Maintenance year
New construction, transfers, demolitions and property changes are processed.
Cycle preparation
Market studies, inspections and data work support the next reappraisal.
Next reappraisal
A new countywide valuation cycle is scheduled.
Sales comparison
Residential values may be supported by analysis of comparable market sales and neighborhood patterns.
Cost approach
Replacement cost, depreciation, land value, quality and physical condition may be considered.
Income approach
Income-producing property may be analyzed using rent, expenses, vacancy and capitalization information.
A higher appraisal does not automatically require an equal percentage tax increase: Tennessee’s certified-tax-rate process requires local governments to reconsider rates after a reappraisal so higher aggregate values do not automatically create a windfall.
Before or alongside a formal appeal
How to Prepare for a Shelby County Appraisal Review
Open the complete property record.
Save the parcel card, value breakdown, classification, land information, building details and sales history.
Identify the exact disputed item.
Separate a market-value disagreement from an incorrect square footage, classification, owner, condition, building count or land measurement.
Collect property-specific evidence.
Use photographs, surveys, floor plans, contractor estimates, demolition records, permits, lease information or other documents tied to the error.
Research comparable sales carefully.
Compare location, property type, size, age, quality, condition, sale date and whether the transfer was an arm’s-length sale.
Keep proof of every submission.
Save the date, confirmation, uploaded evidence, staff response and any revised property record.
Evidence that can make a review more useful
- Current property record and assessment notice
- Exterior and interior condition photographs
- Repair estimates for significant defects
- Recent survey or measured floor plan
- Demolition or building-permit records
- Comparable sales with adjustment notes
- Income and expense records for applicable property
- Recorded deed or legal-description evidence
Formal assessment appeal route
Shelby County Board of Equalization Appeals for 2026
The Shelby County Board of Equalization accepted tax-year 2026 assessment appeals from May 1 through June 30, 2026. A disputed assessment generally must be appealed through the County Board before it becomes final for that year.
Review record
Confirm value, classification and property facts.
Request Assessor review
Present factual errors and evidence.
File County Board appeal
Submit during the published filing period.
Continue if eligible
Review state-level appeal rights and deadlines.
County Board of Equalization
1075 Mullins Station Road
Suite C-142
Memphis, TN 38134
901-222-7300
Issues that may be appealed
Appraised value, assessed value, classification and certain unequal-assessment concerns can fall within the assessment-appeal process.
As of August 5, 2026: The ordinary June 30 filing deadline has passed. Do not assume an informal conversation, corrected mailing address or request for information extends a statutory appeal deadline.
Later notices may carry separate rights: If the Assessor issues a later change notice, correction or classification notice, follow the deadline printed on that document and obtain official guidance promptly.
Open the Official Board of Equalization Page
Confirm current filing dates, contact information, meeting details and appeal instructions.
Handled by the County Trustee
How to Search Shelby County Property Tax Bills and Payments
Locate the correct tax account.
Match the parcel ID, owner, property location and tax year with the Assessor record.
Review all county tax years.
Check current taxes, prior payments, unpaid years and any delinquent balance.
Separate county and city taxes.
A property inside Memphis or another municipality may have a separate city bill or payment route.
Print the bill or payment history.
Save the bill, receipt and payment history when reconciling escrow, closing or ownership records.
Verify before paying again.
Compare the live tax account, mortgage escrow activity and saved confirmation to prevent duplicate payment.
Taxes become payable
Shelby County real-estate taxes generally become due and payable beginning the first Monday of October.
Delinquency begins
County real-estate taxes generally become delinquent on March 1 of the following year.
Taxpayer responsibility
Owners should confirm that every parcel has a bill even when the mortgage company is expected to pay through escrow.
Online eCheck
$1.50
The Trustee currently publishes a $1.50 fee for online eCheck payments.
Credit or debit card
2.6%
The Trustee currently publishes a 2.6% convenience fee that is not retained by the office.
Payment posting: The Trustee states that accepted online eCheck and card payments are treated as paid at the approved transaction date and time and are posted to the system immediately.
Do not use the Assessor’s value page as proof of payment: Appraisal records do not establish whether taxes were paid. Use the Trustee’s bill, receipt and payment-history tools.
Senior, disabled and veteran assistance
Shelby County Tax Relief, Tax Freeze and Payment Programs
Tax Relief
A state-funded credit can pay all or part of qualifying county and city property taxes for eligible elderly or disabled homeowners, disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses.
The credit normally does not have to be repaid unless eligibility was incorrectly established.
Tax Freeze
The program can freeze qualifying county property taxes for an eligible owner age 65 or older who owns and occupies the property as a primary residence and meets the applicable income limit.
The frozen amount is not the same as freezing the Assessor’s market value.
Quarterly Pay
This program helps qualifying seniors divide taxes into four payments without ordinary interest and penalty when requirements are satisfied.
Confirm enrollment and payment dates with the Trustee.
2025 program deadlines have passed: Published Tax Relief and Tax Freeze guidance required qualifying 2025 applications to be postmarked or received by April 5, 2026. New applicants should contact the Trustee for the next available application cycle rather than using an expired form.
Published 2025 Tax Relief income limit
The elderly and disabled homeowner income limit was $37,530. Different eligibility rules apply to disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses.
Published 2025 Tax Freeze income limit
The program page listed a combined income threshold of $61,920 using 2024 income for the applicable 2025 qualification cycle.
Documents commonly requested
- Completed current-year application
- Proof of age and primary residence
- Income records for owners and spouse
- Medicare cards when requested
- Death certificate when applicable
- Veteran or disability documentation
- Property parcel information
- Current county and city tax bills
Municipal routing matters: The Shelby County Trustee does not administer every city’s Tax Relief application. Collierville, Germantown and Memphis applicants may need to contact the applicable municipal government.
When taxes are already delinquent
Shelby County Delinquent Tax Payment Arrangements
A written Trustee payment plan is not a general installment option for every account. The published program applies to qualifying delinquent property scheduled for a current tax sale.
Tax-sale requirement
The parcel must be scheduled for a current tax sale to qualify under the published written-plan rules.
All delinquent years included
Every delinquent tax year owed on the parcel must be included in the arrangement.
Maximum 24 months
The Trustee determines the payment amount after the required down payment, and the plan may not exceed 24 months.
Monthly due date
Published plan payments are due on or before the 20th of each month.
Charges continue
Lawsuit fees, interest, penalty and other collection activity may continue until the account is paid in full.
Default risk
Failing to maintain the agreement can place the property back at risk in the tax-sale process.
“I am calling about parcel __________. Please confirm every delinquent year, the current payoff, whether the parcel is scheduled for tax sale, the required down payment, monthly amount, final plan term and all charges that continue during the arrangement.”
Open Official Payment Arrangement Information
Review qualification rules and contact the Trustee Tax Sale Department before relying on a plan.
Annual reporting responsibility
Shelby County Business Personal Property Records
Commercial and industrial businesses may be required to report tangible personal property used in the operation of the business. Tennessee generally requires tangible personal-property reporting by March 1.
What may be reportable
Machinery, furniture, computers, tools, office equipment and other taxable assets used in a business or profession.
Assessment percentage
Locally assessed business tangible personal property generally uses a 30% assessment ratio.
Annual update
Businesses should report additions, disposals and other asset changes using the applicable schedule and instructions.
Do not combine real estate and business assets: The building or land appears in the real-property record. Furniture, equipment and other qualifying business assets may appear in a separate personal-property account.
Search Business Personal Property
Open the Assessor services page and choose the current business-property search or filing route.
Recorded property documents
How to Search Shelby County Deeds, Mortgages and Tax Liens
The Assessor’s ownership record is not a substitute for a recorded deed. Use the Register of Deeds when you need the legal instrument transferring title, a mortgage, release, lien, plat or other recorded document.
Search current and prior owner names.
Try grantor, grantee, company, trust, spouse and spelling variations.
Use document details when available.
Search by instrument number, book and page, recording date, document type or parcel-related description.
Review the document image.
Compare parties, legal description, execution date, recording date and referenced parcel information.
Look for related instruments.
A deed may be followed by a mortgage, release, correction deed, lien, assignment or later conveyance.
Request a certified record when required.
Courts, lenders, title companies and government agencies may require certification rather than an online image.
Register of Deeds
1075 Mullins Station Road
Building W3, Suite W165
Memphis, TN 38134
901-222-8100
County Archives
980A Nixon Drive
Memphis, TN 38134
901-222-8175
Recording turnaround: The Register states that original records are normally filed and returned within approximately 36 hours, although timing can vary with document quality, volume and legal requirements.
Title warning: Public document access does not guarantee clear or insurable title. A title company or attorney may be needed to identify unreleased interests, probate issues, boundary problems or other legal risks.
Map-based parcel verification
How to Use the Shelby County Parcel Identification Map
PARCEL
MAP
VERIFY
ADDRESS
PARCEL ID
OWNER
LAYERS
Search an address or zoom to the location.
Use the search bar, map controls or query widget.
Search by parcel ID or owner when needed.
Use the query tool to narrow results when the address is incomplete or several parcels are nearby.
Select the parcel.
Click the mapped shape to open available property details.
Review layers and base maps.
Turn relevant layers on or off and compare roads, parcels and aerial context.
Use the map as a research tool—not a survey.
Parcel graphics can help identify the property but should not be used as a legal boundary survey.
Which Shelby County Records Should Different Users Check?
| User situation |
Records to review |
Best next action |
| Current homeowner |
Assessor property card, classification, tax bill, payment history and deed. |
Correct factual errors and retain current-year records. |
| Prospective buyer |
Parcel, legal description, appraisal, sales history, deed, liens and unpaid taxes. |
Use professional title and inspection services before purchase. |
| Mortgage escrow customer |
Trustee bill, payment history, lender escrow activity and parcel number. |
Confirm payment posting before paying independently. |
| Senior homeowner |
County and city tax bills, deed, income documents and eligibility records. |
Ask about the next Tax Relief, Tax Freeze and Quarterly Pay cycle. |
| Business owner |
Real-property record, business personal-property account and annual asset schedule. |
Separate real estate from reportable business assets. |
| Estate or heir |
Recorded deed, probate documents, Assessor owner record and unpaid taxes. |
Resolve legal ownership before expecting all county records to update. |
| Appeal filer |
Assessment notice, property card, sales, photos and issue-specific evidence. |
Follow the exact filing deadline printed on the applicable notice. |
| Tax-sale property researcher |
Trustee tax-sale list, Chancery case, deed records, parcel map and title information. |
Perform independent legal and title due diligence before bidding. |
Shelby County Assessor, Trustee and Register Contact Details
Assessor of Property
East Office
1075 Mullins Station Road
Memphis, TN 38134
901-222-7001
Fax: 901-222-7199
Register of Deeds
1075 Mullins Station Road
Building W3, Suite W165
Memphis, TN 38134
901-222-8100
Published office hours: The Assessor, Trustee and Register generally list Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check the official office page for holidays, temporary closures and service-specific requirements before traveling.
Shelby County Property Search Problems and Practical Fixes
| Problem |
Practical fix |
Correct office |
| Address search returns no result |
Remove city, state, unit number, punctuation and street suffix; try the parcel map. |
Assessor |
| Owner search misses the property |
Try surname only, business or trust name, prior owner and spelling variations. |
Assessor |
| Several parcels appear |
Compare parcel ID, legal description, acreage, property type and map location. |
Assessor |
| Owner name is outdated |
Confirm that the deed was recorded, then ask the Assessor what ownership documentation is needed. |
Register, then Assessor |
| Building size is wrong |
Gather a survey, floor plan, permit, appraisal or measured sketch and request review. |
Assessor |
| Appraised and assessed values differ |
Check the statutory percentage for the property classification. |
Assessor |
| Tax bill is higher than expected |
Review assessed value, county rate, city tax, delinquency and payment history separately. |
Assessor and Trustee |
| Mortgage company was supposed to pay |
Compare the Trustee payment history with the lender escrow-disbursement record. |
Trustee and lender |
| Need a property deed |
Search grantor, grantee, instrument number, date and document type. |
Register of Deeds |
| Appeal deadline passed |
Contact the Assessor or Board promptly and follow any separate deadline on a later notice. |
Assessor or Board |
| Tax Relief form is expired |
Contact Trustee Customer Service for the next application cycle and current income limits. |
Trustee |
| Parcel is scheduled for tax sale |
Obtain the complete payoff and ask whether the account qualifies for a written payment plan. |
Trustee and Chancery Court |
“I am calling about Shelby County parcel __________ at __________. The property record currently shows __________, but my deed, survey, tax bill or other evidence shows __________. Please confirm which office and process should be used to correct or review this issue.”
Official links open in a new tab
Final Shelby County Property Records Action Center
Use these official routes after identifying the correct parcel, property year and responsible office.
Title-specific answers
Shelby County Property Assessor 2026 FAQs
1. How do I search Shelby County Tennessee property records?
Use the Shelby County Assessor property-search route or Tennessee Property Assessment Data. Search by property address, owner name or parcel ID, then verify the location, owner, legal description, classification, appraisal value and assessment year.
2. What information is available in a Shelby County Assessor property record?
A property record can include the parcel ID, owner and mailing information, property address, legal description, acreage, land value, improvement value, total appraised value, assessed value, classification, building characteristics and recorded sales information.
3. Is the Shelby County Assessor responsible for collecting property taxes?
No. The Assessor locates, identifies, classifies and appraises taxable property. The Shelby County Trustee bills and collects county property taxes, maintains payment history and administers qualifying payment and tax-assistance programs.
4. What is the difference between appraised value and assessed value in Shelby County?
Appraised value is the Assessor’s estimate of market value. Assessed value is calculated by multiplying appraised value by the Tennessee statutory percentage for the property class, such as 25% for residential and farm real property or 40% for commercial and industrial real property.
5. When was Shelby County’s last property reappraisal?
Shelby County completed its most recent countywide real-property reappraisal in 2025. The county uses a four-year reappraisal cycle, and the next countywide reappraisal is scheduled for 2029.
6. Can I still appeal my Shelby County 2026 property assessment?
The regular County Board of Equalization filing period for tax year 2026 ran from May 1 through June 30, 2026. As of August 5, 2026, that ordinary period has ended. Contact the Assessor or Board promptly if a later notice, factual correction or other specific circumstance may provide a separate route.
7. How are Shelby County residential property taxes calculated?
Residential appraised value is generally multiplied by the 25% Tennessee assessment ratio. The assessed value is divided by 100 and multiplied by the applicable county tax rate. A separate municipal tax may apply depending on the property location.
8. When do Shelby County property taxes become delinquent?
Shelby County real-estate taxes generally become due and payable beginning the first Monday of October and become delinquent on March 1 of the following year. Search the live Trustee account for the current balance and payment status.
9. What help is available for senior or disabled Shelby County homeowners?
The Trustee administers Tax Relief, Tax Freeze and other qualifying payment programs. Eligibility can depend on age, disability, veteran status, primary residence, ownership and household income. Published 2025 application deadlines have passed, so contact the Trustee for the next cycle.
10. Where do I find a Shelby County deed or property lien?
Use the Shelby County Register of Deeds to search property titles, deeds, mortgages, releases, state and federal tax liens, plats and other recorded instruments. Search current and prior owner names, document numbers, recording dates and document types.
Official Sources and Editorial Verification
Assessor Responsibilities
Reappraisal cycle, valuation duties, parcel count and office details.
Assessor Online Services
Property search, business property, appraisal review and calculator routes.
Tennessee Assessment Data
State property search by county, owner, address, parcel and advanced filters.
Board of Equalization
2026 appeal dates, office address, contact and Board responsibilities.
Trustee Realty Taxes
Due dates, delinquency, escrow and tax-bill responsibilities.
Register of Deeds
Deeds, mortgages, liens, archives and recorded property documents.
What was reviewed: Assessor responsibilities, office contacts, property-search routes, Tennessee assessment percentages, 2025 reappraisal cycle, 2026 Board appeal dates, Trustee tax-payment information, online fees, Tax Relief, Tax Freeze, payment arrangements, Register of Deeds services and parcel-map instructions.
CountyPropertyAppraiser.org is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Shelby County Assessor of Property, Shelby County Trustee, Shelby County Register of Deeds, County Board of Equalization, Tennessee Comptroller, City of Memphis or any county or municipal taxing authority.
Ownership, appraisal values, classifications, assessment percentages, tax rates, balances, payment fees, office hours, income limits, appeal dates and portal interfaces can change. Confirm time-sensitive information with the responsible official office before paying, filing, purchasing, appealing or making a legal decision.
Last reviewed: August 5, 2026.
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