The Jackson County License Plate Agency "Tag Office" is located in Skyland Services Center, at 876 Skyland Drive in Sylva. The hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, closed all state holidays.
The Tag Office accepts cash, check, and all major credit cards. They do not accept start or counter checks. You must have a valid N.C. Driver's License or ID card and automobile insurance information with you to process a transaction.
All notary and novelty fees must be paid in cash.
To get your license plate renewed you must have the following: have your vehicle inspected within the last 90 days, pay any delinquent property tax billed by the county to your county tax office, and provide your current liability insurance information.
The Tag Office can only accept in-person transactions. Mailed vehicle titling and registration information to 876 Skyland Drive or 401 Grindstaff Cove Road will delay processing. Any checks made out to the Jackson County Tax Collector will be returned to sender and checks made out to NCDMV will be mailed to NCDMV headquarters. Please send mailed registration renewals to PO Box 29620 Raleigh, NC 27626 and vehicle titles to 3148 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC, 27697-3148. Any property tax questions or appeals can be submitted to 876 Skyland Drive.
If you are seeking answers over the phone please contact the NC DMV call center at 919-715-7000.
Many vehicle services can be completed online, including property tax payments and registration renewals. To get started, please visit MyNCDMV.gov.
Individuals or businesses owning or possessing motor vehicles registered with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). All vehicles not annually registered with the NCDMV, have multi-year tags, or have International Registration Plan (IRP) plates must be listed as individual personal property annually in the month of January.
Tag & Tax Together Program
In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law to create a combined motor vehicle registration renewal and property tax collection system. The law transfers responsibility of motor vehicle tax collection to the NCDMV. This new Tag & Tax Together program was designed as a convenient way to pay annual vehicle tag renewals and property taxes in one transaction.
Beginning with renewal notices mailed in July 2013 and due in September 2013, your registration renewal and property tax will be due the same month each year. The NCDMV will send a combined notice that includes both the vehicle registration fee and property taxes. You will not be permitted to renew your tag without paying all taxes owed on the vehicle.
Paying the Combined Tag & Tax Notice
Payment for the Tag & Tax Together notice CANNOT be made at the county tax office. Payments sent to the county tax office cannot be processed and delay the renewal process. You will pay both the registration fee and property taxes to the NCDMV using one of these three payment options:
The NCDMV can be contacted at (919) 715-7000 or (919) 814-1779.
Motor Vehicle Values
Motor vehicles are valued by year, make, and model in accordance with the North Carolina Vehicle Valuation Manual. Values are based on the retail level of trade for property tax purposes. A motor vehicle offered for sale by a dealer to the end consumer represents the best example of the retail level of trade. For a new issuance, the appraised value is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). For renewals, the appraised value is the average retail value or the MSRP less depreciation.
Licensed motor vehicles are not valued at wholesale, blue book, or private party asking price for property tax purposes. Sales transactions between private buyers and sellers and internet valuation lookup websites typically reflect these levels of trade.
Tag Turn In
If you have turned in a license plate at the License Plate Agency you may be eligible to receive a partial refund of taxes paid. Please email, mail, or hand deliver your receipt (FS20) to the Tax Assessor’s Office. You must submit your receipt (FS20) within one (1) year of surrendering the license plate.
Motor Vehicles Exemptions
The following may qualify for an exemption of the motor vehicle property tax:
Appeal Information
Value adjustments may be necessary if the owner can document:
Normal wear and tear will not be considered.
Documentation that will be considered includes a copy of the bill of sale documenting the purchase price from a local dealer, a written appraisal performed by a dealer that clearly states the appraisal reflects the retail value as of the January 1 of the year in which the taxes are due, for vehicles less than eight years old, documentation of high mileage from an annual inspection, oil change or other invoice, repair estimates for vehicles that have been significantly damaged.
Documentation that will not be considered includes wholesale or blue book values pulled from any internet valuation website, magazine, or catalog, a trade-in or wholesale value appraisal from a dealer, written offers from a dealer to purchase your vehicle, a bill of sale from a private seller.
Value appeals and all supporting documentation must be postmarked within thirty (30) days of the due date printed on the notice.
For additional information contact Sherman Fowler at (828) 586-7541 or shermanfowler@jacksonnc.org
