The recent Sussex County property reassessment marks a long-overdue and necessary shift toward a fairer tax system. Residents can now better understand how property values factor into their tax bills – and benefit from assessments that finally reflect current market realities.
If this year’s reassessment lowered your county tax bill, it should have happened long ago. If your bill rose, it reflects years of under-taxation.
For decades, tax bills were based on property values frozen in 1974. In that time, places like Lewes and Rehoboth Beach saw property values skyrocket, while many inland communities changed far less. Yet until now, tax bills ignored these dramatic shifts, creating a system that was anything but fair. For example, in Cape Henlopen, property values have jumped 2,297% since 1974; in Seaford, 1,378%. When property assessments aren’t updated, homes in quickly appreciating areas receive a tax break while slower-appreciating areas shoulder more of the burden.
A landmark 2020 Delaware Court of Chancery decision made it clear – the state’s outdated property tax assessments were unconstitutional and unfair. Delaware law now requires counties to reassess properties every five years – a huge improvement that aligns with the industry best practice of reassessing at least every six years. With new, up-to-date values in place, Sussex now has a foundation for greater tax fairness.
There is a cost to reassessment, but the cost of unfair taxation is greater. Regular updates are critical if taxpayers want a system that funds schools and services equitably across all communities. This reassessment offers Sussex residents a fresh start. With consistent updates, the system can deliver the fairness everyone deserves, ensuring no homeowner pays more – or less – than their fair share, no matter where they live.
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