New Castle County responds to legislative action on property tax reassessment

NEW CASTLE - New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry is taking immediate steps to implement changes resulting from recent legislation passed by the Delaware General Assembly to address the impacts of the County's first property reassessment in more than 40 years. After working closely with State leaders, local school districts, and other partners on legislation during special session, the County has developed a comprehensive update to help residents understand what the new laws mean for their property and school taxes.

"Reassessment is a complicated process, and it was essential that we work hand in hand with the General Assembly and school districts to provide relief and clarity to our residents," said County Executive Marcus Henry. "This package of legislation reflects a thoughtful, collaborative approach, and we are committed to getting accurate information into the hands of taxpayers."

The County has published a detailed resource that explains the recently passed legislation and outlines how the changes will affect residents' tax bills. The document includes:

• A summary of recently passed state and County laws that affect property tax bills, including:
  • Ordinance 25-099 - Authorizing payment plans and penalty abatements for County property taxes.
  • HB 240 - Providing refunds for overpayments after successful assessment appeals.
  • HB 241 - Allowing payment plans and penalty abatements for school taxes.
  • HB 242 - Allowing school districts to reset residential and non-residential tax rates for the current tax year.
• Frequently asked questions about revised and supplemental tax bills, deadlines, appeals, and payment plan eligibility.
• Step-by-step information for residents on what to expect next, including how and when new bills will be issued.

This legislation gives the County new authority to provide payment flexibility, extend deadlines, and ensure residents have the time and tools they need to manage changes in their tax bills. The due date for both County and school district taxes has been extended to November 30, 2025.

"We recognize that this has been a complex process, made even more challenging by the decades-long period since the last county-wide property assessment," said County Executive Marcus Henry. "Our team is working diligently to put the necessary systems in place to implement the solutions that were passed this week."

Residents are encouraged to review the full information document, which can be found on the County website, and to contact the County's Constituent Services Office at (302) 395-5114 with any additional questions.

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