What is the property tax rate in Saline County?

The combined effective property tax rate in Saline County, Arkansas is approximately 0.55%.

Saline County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Arkansas Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in Saline County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Benton-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to Saline County — including Arkansas's constitutional 20% real-property assessment ratio, Amendment 79's $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, post Act 330 of 2025 — applied directly to bill, wipes out tax bills below $600), the senior AV freeze for owners 65+/disabled (frozen at AV when first qualified), the 5% annual AV cap for homestead, and the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected). Note: Arkansas pays property taxes ONE YEAR BEHIND.

Saline County, home to Benton and 130k Arkansans, operates under Arkansas\'s constitutional 20% property tax system. Real property is assessed at 20% of fair market value (Arkansas Constitution Article 16 §15). Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. Amendment 79 (2000) provides three powerful homestead protections: (1) the universal $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, post Act 330 of 2025); (2) a 5% annual cap on AV increases for homestead (10% for non-homestead); and (3) an AV freeze for owners 65+ or disabled. Effective rates run ~0.55-0.65% statewide median — among the lowest in the United States. Note: Arkansas pays property taxes ONE YEAR BEHIND — your 2026 assessment is billed in March/April 2027 with payment due October 15, 2027.

How the bill is built

Arkansas property tax follows a 4-step calculation. Step 1: Fair Market Value. The Saline County Arkansas Assessor determines FMV annually. Step 2: Apply 20% AR. AV = FMV × 20%. So a $200K home has AV = $40K. Step 3: Apply tax rate. Tax = AV × millage / 1,000. Saline County\'s combined millage is ~55 mills (= ~1.10% gross before homestead). Step 4: Apply $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit. Subtract up to $600 from the bill (no refund of unused credit). For homes producing tax bills under $600, the credit fully wipes out the property tax liability. Effective rate post-credit is ~0.55%.

Arkansas\'s $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit was raised from $500 to $600 by Act 330 of 2025 — effective with 2026 tax bills (which are billed in 2027 due to Arkansas\'s one-year-behind payment cycle). The credit is applied directly to the bill, not as an AV reduction. If your tax bill is below $600, no tax is due — but no refund of remaining credit either. The credit is universal (no age or income restrictions) but limited to one homestead per taxpayer per calendar year. Apply with the County Assessor.

Amendment 79\'s 5% AV cap for homestead is structurally important. Even if FMV rises 15-20% per year (as has happened in fast-growing Northwest Arkansas — Benton/Washington counties), taxable AV can only increase 5% per year for homestead properties. The cap RESETS at sale — new buyers face a "Welcome Stranger" pop-up provision where AV is reset to current market value. This creates substantial AV disparities between long-term residents and recent buyers in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and other appreciating Arkansas markets. Non-homestead properties (rentals, commercial, vacant) are capped at 10% per year.

Arkansas provides a FULL property tax exemption on the homestead for 100% service-connected disabled veterans (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Act). The exemption also extends to veterans who have lost or lost the use of one or more limbs, or who are totally blind in one or both eyes from service-connected causes. Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Apply with County Assessor + County Collector with VA disability rating decision. Combined with Arkansas\'s already-low effective rates, qualifying disabled vets pay $0 on the homestead.

2026 Saline County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of AV (20% AR × FMV), Benton district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined county + municipal + school + special districts (~55 mills × 20% AR = ~0.55% effective, post $600 Homestead Credit)	55.0000
Combined total	55.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From Saline County Arkansas Assessor.

Note: Saline County is **the affluent Little Rock-metro southwestern suburban county** — among the fastest-growing counties in Arkansas. Anchored by Benton (~38K, the seat — confusingly, the county is named for salt deposits while Bentonville is in Benton County in NW Arkansas), Bryant (~22K — fast-growing affluent Little Rock suburb on I-30), Haskell, Bauxite (the historic aluminum-bauxite mining town — the entire US WWII-era aluminum supply was sourced from Bauxite's mines, peaking 1942-1945), and Shannon Hills. The county sits on I-30 ~25 miles southwest of downtown Little Rock and has experienced ~30%+ population growth since 2010 — driven by Little Rock-metro suburban relocation seeking strong public schools and Saline's lower property taxes. Major employment is largely Pulaski County commuter — substantial state government, healthcare, and corporate office workers commute from Saline.

Note: Saline County effective property tax rates run approximately **0.55% — among the lower in Arkansas**. Combined county + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~55 mills (× 20% AR = ~1.10% gross, reduced by Arkansas's $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit to ~0.55% effective). Median home values around $215K combined with the very low effective rate produce median annual bills around $1,183.

Note: For relocation buyers: Saline County offers **the premier Little Rock-metro southwestern suburban** option — substantially lower property taxes than Pulaski County for similar housing, exceptional public schools (Bryant School District and Benton School District are consistently among Arkansas's highest-rated), substantial new construction in the Bryant / Salem area, and direct Little Rock commute via I-30 (Bryant to downtown Little Rock ~20-25 min during off-peak). The trade-off: I-30 commute congestion during peak hours, aggressive housing price appreciation since 2018.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Arkansas homeowner property tax relief is concentrated in three Amendment 79 mechanisms (passed by voters in 2000): (1) the universal $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, post Act 330 of 2025), (2) the 5% annual AV cap for homestead (10% for non-homestead), and (3) the AV freeze for owners 65+ or disabled. Plus the FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption for 100% service-connected disabled vets.

$600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (Amendment 79 — universal)

The Homestead Property Tax Credit was established at $300 per homestead in 2000, raised to $350, then $375, then $425, then $500, and most recently to $600 effective 2026 (Act 330 of 2025). The credit is applied directly to the property tax bill — if your bill is below $600, no tax is due (but no refund of remaining credit). The credit is universal — no age, income, or other qualification beyond homestead status. Limit one homestead per taxpayer per calendar year. Apply with County Assessor.

5% / 10% Annual AV Cap (Amendment 79)

For homestead properties: taxable AV cannot increase more than 5% per year, regardless of how much FMV rises. For non-homestead (commercial, agricultural, vacant): 10% per year cap. Cap resets at sale (the new owner restarts with full FMV-based AV — the "Welcome Stranger" pop-up provision). Caps do NOT apply to newly-constructed property or substantial improvements. The cap has produced significant AV disparities in fast-growing markets like Northwest Arkansas (Benton/Washington counties), where long-term residents pay far less than recent buyers for identical homes.

Senior/Disabled AV Freeze (Amendment 79)

Owners 65+ or permanently disabled (any age) can apply for a true AV freeze — the AV is frozen at the level when first qualified. Note: the freeze does NOT cap millage rate increases (so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities raise rates). The freeze does NOT transfer to new owners at sale. Combined with the universal $600 Homestead Credit, this provides among the most-favorable senior property tax structures in the central United States.

FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected)

Arkansas provides a FULL property tax exemption on the homestead for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, OR who have lost/lost the use of one or more limbs, OR who are totally blind in one or both eyes from service-connected causes (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Act). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Apply with County Assessor and County Collector.

Appealing your assessment

Arkansas property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Equalization Board. File written appeal by the third Monday in August each year. The Board holds informal hearings. Level 2: County Court. If unresolved, appeal to County Court within 30 days. Level 3: Arkansas Circuit Court. County Court decisions can be appealed to Circuit Court. Most Arkansas appeals are resolved at Level 1. Note: Arkansas pays property taxes ONE YEAR BEHIND — your 2026 assessment is billed in March/April 2027 with payment due October 15, 2027.

Cities and towns in Saline County

Saline County contains 5 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Benton to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside Saline County is subject to Saline County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Benton County seat	city	38,000
Bryant	city	22,000
Haskell	city	4,400
Shannon Hills	city	3,200
Bauxite	town	500

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Benton tax district. Other cities in Saline County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the Saline County Arkansas Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Arkansas property taxes due?

Arkansas pays property taxes one year behind — your 2026 assessment will be billed in March/April 2027 with payment due October 15, 2027. Most Arkansas counties accept payments starting the first business day in March each year. Late payments after October 15 accrue penalty plus interest. Most homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

What is Amendment 79?

Amendment 79 to the Arkansas State Constitution (passed by voters in 2000) provides three powerful homestead protections: (1) the universal $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit (effective 2026, raised from $500 by Act 330 of 2025) — applied directly to the bill; (2) a 5% annual cap on AV increases for homestead (10% for non-homestead) — caps year-over-year value-driven increases (resets at sale); (3) an AV freeze for owners 65+ or disabled — frozen at AV when first qualified.

How does the $600 Homestead Property Tax Credit work?

The Homestead Property Tax Credit is applied directly to your tax bill — up to $600 (effective 2026). If your bill is below $600, no tax is due (but no refund of remaining credit). The credit is universal — no age, income, or other restrictions beyond homestead status. Limit one homestead per taxpayer per calendar year. Apply with the County Assessor. Originally $300 in 2000, raised in steps to $350, $375, $425, $500, and most recently $600 by Act 330 of 2025.

How does the 5% annual AV cap work?

For homestead properties: taxable AV cannot increase more than 5% per year, regardless of how much FMV rises. For non-homestead (commercial, agricultural, vacant): 10% per year cap. The cap RESETS at sale — the new owner restarts with full FMV-based AV (the "Welcome Stranger" pop-up provision). Caps do NOT apply to newly-constructed property or substantial improvements. The cap has produced significant AV disparities in fast-growing markets like Northwest Arkansas (Benton/Washington counties), where long-term residents pay far less than recent buyers for identical homes.

How does the senior AV freeze work?

Owners 65+ or permanently disabled (any age) can apply for a true AV freeze — the AV is frozen at the level when first qualified. Note: the freeze does NOT cap millage rate increases — so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities (county, school district, city) raise rates. The freeze does NOT transfer to new owners at sale. Combined with the universal $600 Homestead Credit, this provides among the most-favorable senior property tax structures in the central United States. Apply with County Assessor.

How does the Disabled Veteran exemption work in Arkansas?

Arkansas provides a FULL property tax exemption on the homestead for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled, OR who have lost/lost the use of one or more limbs, OR who are totally blind in one or both eyes from service-connected causes (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Act). Surviving unremarried spouses retain. Combined with Arkansas\'s already-low effective rates (~0.55-0.65%), qualifying disabled vets pay $0 on the homestead. Apply with County Assessor and County Collector with VA disability rating decision.

How do I appeal my Arkansas assessment?

Arkansas property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: County Equalization Board. File written appeal by the third Monday in August each year. Level 2: County Court. If unresolved, within 30 days. Level 3: Arkansas Circuit Court. County Court decisions can be appealed to Circuit Court. Most Arkansas appeals are resolved at Level 1.

About Saline County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

Bauxite was historically **the source of the entire US WWII-era aluminum supply** — the bauxite ore mined here (named after the village) was processed into alumina and then aluminum at Reynolds Metals and ALCOA plants. From 1941 to 1945, Bauxite's mines produced approximately **6 million tons of bauxite** — sufficient for the millions of aluminum military aircraft (B-17s, B-29s, P-51s), warships, and other aluminum-intensive WWII materiel. The town's population peaked at ~5,000 during WWII, supporting ~2,500 mining and processing jobs. After the war, cheaper foreign bauxite (particularly from Jamaica and Suriname) made Bauxite's mines uneconomical — the last commercial bauxite mining in Bauxite ended in 1990. The town today (~500 residents) preserves substantial company-housing-era architecture and a Bauxite Historical Museum.

Hometown hero

Sarah Caldwell

The American conductor **Sarah Caldwell** (1924-2006) — among the most-influential American opera conductors of the 20th century, founder of the Opera Company of Boston (1958), the **first woman to conduct at the Metropolitan Opera in New York** (January 13, 1976) — was born in Maryville, Missouri but raised in Fayetteville and Little Rock and spent significant time in Saline County during her childhood. Caldwell's career as a female conductor (in an era when women conductors were almost unknown) made her a major Civil Rights / women's rights pioneer. She conducted the Boston Opera Company for over 30 years and was known for her interpretations of Verdi, Wagner, and modernist composers. Other notable Saline County figures include **Jack Yeates** (the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette sportswriter, longtime Razorbacks chronicler), and **Mike Beebe** (45th Governor of Arkansas 2007-2015, born in Amagon, AR but with Saline County political base through his Arkansas Attorney General career).

Biggest annual event

Saline County Fair + Bryant Hill Country Days

The **Saline County Fair** (annual, late August at the Saline County Fairgrounds in Benton, since 1944) is the major regional county fair — drawing 75,000+ attendees with traditional county fair programming, livestock competitions, and the celebrated Saline County Rodeo. **Bryant Hill Country Days** (annual, fall in downtown Bryant) is the celebrated regional community festival drawing substantial regional attendance. The historic Gann Museum of Saline County (in Benton — built 1893 from cut bauxite blocks, the only structure in the world built from bauxite) is a major regional cultural attraction.

Property Tax in Saline County, 2026