Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Germantown, Tennessee
Median Germantown, Tennessee effective property tax rate: 0.65%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Tennessee state median of 0.54%.
Median Germantown, Tennessee home value: $485,900
Median annual Germantown, Tennessee tax bill: $3,125, $725 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Shelby calculated?
Property taxes in Germantown, Tennessee are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Germantown's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Germantown, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.65%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,158
$2,931
How Does the Germantown Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Germantown property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Germantown's median effective tax rate of 0.65% — based on actual property records in Shelby County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Germantown's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Germantown: rates range from $2,844.00 in 38138 to $3,737.00 in 38139, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Germantown.
About Germantown Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Germantown, Shelby, Tennessee
Germantown's median effective property tax rate of 0.65% is higher than the Tennessee state median of 0.54% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Shelby County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Germantown. Homeowners in the 38139 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.66%, while those in 38138 pay 0.65%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Shelby County. Understanding which part of Germantown you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Germantown homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the May 31, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Germantown's effective property tax rate to other cities in Tennessee and the median property tax rates in Tennessee and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Germantown Tax Rate
0.65%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Shelby County Tax Rate
0.61%
Median Effective Tennessee Tax Rate
0.54%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38138 | 0.56% | 0.60% | 0.65% | 0.69% | 0.72% |
| 38139 | 0.58% | 0.62% | 0.66% | 0.69% | 0.73% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
When examining property taxes in Germantown, Tennessee, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Shelby County appraisal district estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Shelby County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Germantown.
For example, the median home price in Germantown is $485,900, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 38139 has the highest median home price at $578,500.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
Source: Ownwell
$55,400
$365,000
$674,600
Median Germantown Market Value
$485,900
Median Shelby County Market Value
$210,800
Median Tennessee Market Value
$213,900
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38138 | $306,600 | $374,800 | $434,100 | $559,375 | $723,900 |
| 38139 | $401,110 | $463,100 | $578,500 | $761,675 | $1,044,440 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
Property tax bills in Germantown are based on the assessed value of a home, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the amount owed. For homeowners, this means the bill is tied to both the market value of the property and the tax rates set by local taxing authorities.
With a median home price of $485,900, property taxes can be a significant part of owning a home in the city. The median tax bill is $3,737, with bills ranging from $2,844 in the lowest median-tax ZIP code to $3,737 in the highest median-tax ZIP code. That compares with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, showing that Germantown homeowners often pay more than the typical U.S. homeowner.
For many homeowners, a higher assessed value can lead to a higher tax bill, even if the home has not changed much physically.
Median Germantown Tax Bill
$3,125
Median Shelby County Tax Bill
$1,285
Median Tennessee Tax Bill
$1,126
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38138 | $1,942 | $2,492 | $2,844 | $3,493 | $4,532 |
| 38139 | $2,612 | $3,070 | $3,737 | $4,915 | $6,704 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 30 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Shelby Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.assessormelvinburgess.com |