In their new budgets, the city and the county have increased their property tax rates, which are billed per $100 of property value.

THE CITY'S NEW RATE: 54 cents per $100 of value

THE COUNTY'S NEW RATE: 70.81 cents per $100 of value

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR TAX BILL

1) Find out the taxable value of your property. If you don't have your paperwork handy, search the county's database by your name or address: Search database

2) Divide your home's value by 100.

3) If you live in the city:

Multiply by the combined city and county tax rate: $1.2481. Round to the nearest cent.

If you live in the county outside city limits:

Find out which fire or special tax district the property is in. Add that amount (i.e., 6 cents for the Bahama Fire District) to the county's tax rate of .7081 cents. (Find a list of district rates at www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/txad/Tax_Rates.html.) Multiply the total from Step 2 by the total rate. Homeowners, add $90 for solid waste fees.

4) The bill will be due in January 2009.

If you are over 65 or own a historic home, you may be eligible for exemptions. For more information, call Durham County Tax Administration at 560-0300 or visit http://www.co.durham.nc.us/departments/txad and click on "Tax Forms and Publications."