Tax commissioner reminds citizens of property tax deadline

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Chad Alexander

January 11, 2013

Tax commissioner reminds citizens of property tax deadline

Latasha Everson/The Tifton Gazette CNHI The Tifton Gazette Fri Jan 11, 2013, 10:16 PM EST

TIFTON — Tift County Tax Commissioner Chad Alexander wants to remind local property taxpayers that the deadline to pay their property tax bill before accruing a 10 percent penalty is quickly approaching.

The due date to pay property taxes was Nov. 15, 2012. Bills that were not paid by this deadline, taxpayers accrued a one percent per month fee.

After 90 days, a 10 percent penalty will be added for being late on top of the one percent per month increase until the bill is paid (Georgia Code Section 48-2-44). The bill must be paid by Feb. 12 to avoid getting the 10 percent penalty.

The tax office only accepts cash or checks. You can also go online to pay your taxes at www.tiftcounty.org (click on Tax Commissioner), mail your payment or drop your payment off in the green drop box located on the front of the Charles A. Kent Administration Building.

Taxpayers are strongly encouraged to make partial payments prior to the Feb. 12 due date.

Property tax bills were mailed out in August 2012. The Gazette reported in a previous article that approximately 20,000 bills were mailed to property taxpayers in the city and county at that time; the mailed bills represent $25,810,912.25 in total taxes. The local tax office collects city, county and school property taxes.

Alexander, along with Property Tax Manager Kim Merritt and Deputy Tax Commissioner Cindy Sutton, told The Gazette Thursday that 12 percent of taxes have not been collected. At this time of the year, this is average; they’re currently neck and neck with last year’s collection, says Merritt.

Also, property tax bills for mobile homeowners will be going out Tuesday and will be due by May 1, Sutton noted.

Alexander stated, “We’re trying to communicate to the public about what’s coming up.”

He said the Feb. 12 due date is coming soon, and the local tax office doesn’t want taxpayers to be shocked by it.

“We don’t want anyone to get a 10 percent penalty,” he stated.

He added that the 10 percent penalty after the 90-day deadline is an every year accruement.

“We don’t want them to pay any extra fees if they don’t have to,” Merritt said.

Sutton added, “We encourage them to come in and set up some type of payment plan.”

“Collections is our job,” Alexander said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

He noted that taking office as the new tax commissioner has been a smooth transition. However, he stated that he still has some things to learn.

Merritt stated, “But, he’s eager to learn it.”

“There’s a lot to know,” Alexander said, noting that everything has been going well and he has a great staff. “I’m going to do what I can.”

For any questions, contact the tax office at 386-7820.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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