DC Real Property Tax Search: Lookup Parcel Records, Pay Bills & Estimate Tax
Use this guide when you need the DC property tax database, a MyTax.DC.gov payment, a tax estimate, an assessment check, or a relief program. The fastest path is simple: search the property by address or SSL, verify the account, review value and bill details, then use the official DC portal only for final tasks like payment, applications, appeals or public records.
What users usually need from the DC property tax database
Choose the task below. This keeps users from bouncing between MyTax, OTR, Recorder of Deeds and payment pages.
Fast action board
- 1Need property value or assessment? Use OTR’s Real Property Tax Database and search by address or SSL.
- 2Need to pay tax? Use MyTax.DC.gov → Real Property → Make a Real Property Payment. ACH/eCheck is free; credit card has a processor fee.
- 3Need to calculate tax? Divide assessed value by 100, then multiply by the class rate before credits or deductions.
- 4Need due dates? First half is due March 31; second half is due September 15 unless a delayed bill changes the due date.
- 5Assessment looks wrong? Start with the first-level administrative review through MyTax.DC.gov. New owners may usually file within 45 days of purchase.
Search property
Use address or SSL in the DC real property database.
Verify record
Match address, owner, lot, class, value and tax account.
Calculate or pay
Use value, class rate, credits, deductions and MyTax.
Fix issues
Use appeal, relief application, public records or OTR help.
How to use the DC property tax database
OTR’s database gives online access to property value, assessment roll and other real property details that once required manual searches.
| Search Item | What It Means | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| SSL | Square, Suffix and Lot | Most precise DC parcel search. |
| Property address | Street address in DC | Fast homeowner or buyer lookup. |
| Assessment data | Land, improvements and total value | Estimate taxes or review value changes. |
| Tax account data | Bill/payment-related account info | Confirm tax year, balance and payment target. |
| Use code / class | How the property is categorized | Determine rate, vacant/blighted risk, or commercial class. |
1
Open the OTR Real Property Tax Database page
Start at the official OTR page before clicking outside tools.
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Go to the official OTR Real Property Tax Database Search page. Use it to reach real property assessments, instructions, property detail tips, use code listings and public extract records.
2
Search by SSL first if you have it
SSL avoids address formatting problems.
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SSL means Square, Suffix and Lot. Use it from a tax bill, deed, settlement sheet, property record or title document. If you do not have SSL, search by the property address and confirm the exact result.
3
Verify the correct property before using numbers
DC addresses and units can be easy to mix up.
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Match address, SSL, owner, unit, ward/neighborhood, land value, improvement value, tax class and recent sales. Do not calculate or pay from a record that only “looks close.”
How to pay DC real property tax through MyTax.DC.gov
Use the official MyTax portal only after confirming the property record. MyTax supports online real property payments and applications without needing a login for several public real property actions.
1
Open MyTax.DC.gov
Use the Real Property section.
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Go to MyTax.DC.gov. Under Real Property, choose Make a Real Property Payment.
2
Search by SSL or property address
Select the exact property result.
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Enter Square, Suffix and Lot or type the property address and click search. Under search results, click the property hyperlink to retrieve tax account information.
3
Choose the correct tax account
Check balance, tax year and property before submitting.
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Select the tax account you want to pay. Confirm property, SSL, period, balance, interest, penalty and payment amount. Partial payments may still leave a lien or old balance issue.
4
Pick ACH/eCheck or credit card
ACH/eCheck is free; credit card has a processor fee.
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OTR says ACH/eCheck payments through MyTax.DC.gov are free. Credit card payments are accepted, but OTR states a 2.25% non-refundable convenience fee applies and card transaction limits may apply.
5
Save the confirmation number
This is your proof if posting or mortgage escrow questions arise.
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OTR instructs users to retain the submission confirmation number. Save a PDF or screenshot with payment date, amount, SSL, account, confirmation number and payment method.
DC property tax calculator method: assessed value ÷ 100 × class rate
This estimate helps users understand the bill. The final amount can change after homestead deduction, assessment cap credit, senior/disabled relief, trash credit, special charges, penalties or delayed-bill adjustments.
Simple DC real property tax estimate
Estimated annual tax = assessed value ÷ 100 × applicable DC tax rate, before credits and deductions.
| DC Class | Official Rate Summary | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1A | $0.85 per $100 | Residential real property, including multifamily. |
| Class 1B | $0.85 up to $2.558M; $1.00 above that amount | Residential property with no more than two dwelling units. |
| Class 2 | $1.65 / $1.77 / $1.89 tiers | Commercial and industrial real property, including hotels and motels. |
| Class 3 | $5.00 per $100 | Vacant real property; classification questions go to DOB. |
| Class 4 | $10.00 per $100 | Blighted real property; classification questions go to DOB. |
DC real property tax due dates, late penalty and lien risk
DC bills twice a year. If a bill is delayed, OTR may adjust the due date, so always verify the live account before paying.
| Billing Half | Period Covered | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Half | October 1 – March 31 | March 31 |
| 2nd Half | April 1 – September 30 | September 15 |
| Delayed bill | Property-specific | Adjusted by OTR for delayed bills |
Late penalty and interest
OTR states late payment triggers a 10% penalty and 1.5% interest for each full or partial month the payment is late.
Oldest debt first
OTR states payments are automatically applied to the oldest amount owed. Check prior-year balances before assuming the current bill is cleared.
Tax sale risk
If the full amount is not paid, OTR warns that the real property tax lien may be sold at the annual Real Property Tax Sale.
Weekend / holiday rule
If the payment date falls on Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, OTR states payment is due the next business day.
DC property tax relief programs users should check before paying too much
The database shows value and account data, but tax relief can change the bill. Check eligibility early, especially after buying, moving, inheriting, retiring or changing occupancy.
Homestead Deduction
For tax year 2026, OTR lists a $91,950 assessed-value reduction, saving $781.58 annually if eligible.
Assessment Cap Credit
Eligible homestead properties may not be taxed on more than a 10% annual increase in assessed value.
Senior Assessment Cap
For qualifying senior/disabled relief properties, taxable assessed value may be capped at a 2% increase.
Senior / Disabled Relief
Qualified owners may reduce property tax by 50% if age, disability, ownership, residence and income rules are met.
Low-Income Senior Deferral
Low-income seniors may defer the annual tax bill if they meet ownership, occupancy, age, income and application rules.
Trash Credit
For 2026, OTR lists a $136 trash credit for qualifying condos, co-ops or homeowners paying for private garbage collection.
1
Apply through MyTax.DC.gov when eligible
Many applications do not require login.
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For Homestead and senior/disabled relief, OTR instructs users to go to MyTax.DC.gov, choose the Real Property section, View More Options, locate the property by SSL or address and submit the appropriate application.
2
File early for the best timing
Homestead filing dates affect how much benefit applies.
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OTR states a properly completed and approved Homestead application filed October 1 through March 31 receives the benefit for the entire tax year. Applications filed April 1 through September 30 receive one-half of the benefit on the second-half bill.
3
Cancel relief if eligibility changes
This prevents back taxes, interest and penalties.
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OTR says owners must submit cancellation when eligibility changes. For several programs, the owner or authorized representative must act within 30 days of the eligibility change.
How to appeal or question a DC property assessment
Do not rely on an opinion only. OTR says successful appeals require meaningful and accurate supporting information.
| Issue | Best First Step | Evidence To Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Market value too high | First-level administrative review | Comparable sales, condition issues, photos, appraisals, repair estimates. |
| New owner disagrees | File within 45 days of purchase when eligible | SSL, purchase date, settlement statement, appraisal, sale context. |
| Wrong property details | Request worksheet / assessor discussion | Property worksheet, building facts, unit details, land/improvement split. |
| Agent filing for owner | Prepare Letter of Agent Authorization | LOAA, corporate/trust authority, owner authorization. |
| Disagree after first level | RPTAC appeal | Administrative decision notice; file within required 45-day window. |
Where tax database records stop and deed records begin
The tax database is best for tax account, assessment, value, class and bill information. Ownership documents, recorded deeds and transfer history may require Recorder of Deeds public records.
OTR database
Use for assessment, value, property use, tax class, bill/payment reference, sales data and account-level review.
Public extract
OTR says public extract and billing/payment data include location, usage, value, assessment, sales, billing and prior-year amounts for more than 200,000 parcels.
Recorder of Deeds
Use for recorded document images and index information from August 1921 to today.
Title / mortgage companies
OTR says public extract access is restricted for major customers such as mortgage companies paying tax bills for 10 or more properties.
DC Office of Tax and Revenue map, address and contact
Use phone or online tools first. Visit only when the issue cannot be solved through MyTax, database search, application upload or phone support.
OTR Customer Service Center
Address: 1101 4th Street SW, Suite 270 West, Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 727-4TAX (4829) TTY: 711
Official DC property tax resources
Use these links for final actions. The information above explains what to check before leaving this page.
DC property tax database FAQs
Short answers for lookup, payment, calculation, due dates, relief, appeals and official record questions.
QWhat is the DC property tax database?▾
It is OTR’s online real property database for value, assessment roll and parcel information covering more than 200,000 District parcels.
QHow do I search by SSL?▾
Use Square, Suffix and Lot in the real property search. SSL is usually more precise than address search, especially for condos, units and similar addresses.
QCan I pay without logging into MyTax.DC.gov?▾
OTR’s payment instructions say no login is required for the online real property payment route. Use Real Property → Make a Real Property Payment.
QIs ACH/eCheck free?▾
Yes. OTR says ACH/eCheck payments on MyTax.DC.gov are free. Credit card payments have a non-refundable convenience fee.
QWhen are DC property taxes due?▾
First-half bills are due by March 31 and second-half bills are due by September 15. Delayed bills may have adjusted due dates.
QHow do I calculate a Class 1A residential tax estimate?▾
Divide assessed value by 100, then multiply by $0.85. Apply homestead, senior/disabled relief, trash credit or other credits only if eligible.
QWhat if my payment is late?▾
OTR states late payment can trigger a 10% penalty plus 1.5% interest for each full or partial month late. Unpaid amounts can create tax-sale risk.
QHow do I apply for Homestead Deduction?▾
Use MyTax.DC.gov, Real Property, View More Options, then the Homestead Deduction / senior-disabled relief application route after locating the property by SSL or address.
QHow do I appeal a DC assessment?▾
Start with a first-level administrative review through MyTax.DC.gov after locating the property. New owners may usually file within 45 days of purchase.
QIs this the official DC tax website?▾
No. PropertyTaxUSA.org is an independent guide. Verify final balances, due dates, applications, appeals and records through DC OTR, MyTax.DC.gov or Recorder of Deeds.
Bottom line
For DC property tax database searches, think: lookup → verify → calculate/pay → fix issues. Search by SSL or address, confirm the correct property, use MyTax.DC.gov for payment or applications, check due dates, use the class rate to estimate tax, and contact OTR when the record, balance, relief or appeal status is unclear.
Independent guide notice: This page is informational only and is not DC OTR, MyTax.DC.gov, the Recorder of Deeds or a payment processor.