Almost every taxpayer in Bee County has paid his or her 2007 property taxes, and those who haven’t can expect a steep penalty if they don’t pay up by June 30.
Approximately 93 percent of the taxpayers in Bee County have paid their 2007 taxes, said Andrea Gibbud, Bee County tax assessor-collector.
Property owners who have a balance due on their 2007 taxes will receive a statement of taxes due for 2007 in late May advising them that if the 2007 taxes are not paid on or before June 30, an additional 15 percent penalty for attorney fees will be added to their tax bill. The 15 percent is in addition to any penalty and interest already in place, plus taxes.
“I am sending the news release now so that the people who have not paid their 2007 taxes yet can be reminded and realize how much it is costing them in delinquent penalty and interest,” Gibbud said. “Delinquent taxes are the most expensive loan anyone can have. A statutory lien (unrecorded) exists on their property until the taxes are paid and with dropping interest rates not getting taxes paid is expensive any way you look at it. My hope is that people will get the taxes paid by the end of April and avoid the additional 2 percent for May, or an additional 4 percent by June, and then in July attorney fees of 15 percent attach in addition to the accumulated penalty and interest at 18 percent.”
Gibbud said the county typically collects about 93 percent of all property taxes due by this time of the year, but she said she would like to collect as much as 95 percent if possible.
“I have just sent out over 1,000 delinquent statements on 2007, so I am hoping by the end of April to be up to 95 percent where we need to be,” she added.
The interest rate continues to climb each month. The penalty and interest already in place goes to the taxing jurisdictions, whereas the 15 percent that will be added on July 1 goes to the tax attorney.
The tax code sets the rate of penalty and interest and provides for the additional fee for the attorney.
“Taxpayers who are unable to pay the entire tax before the end of June may be able to set up a payment arrangement after making an acceptable down payment,” Gibbud said. “Down payment amounts are determined by the taxpayers’ past payment history, the amount due and the status of the account.”
Taxpayers can save money for every one hundred dollars paid before June 30. For each $100 paid on the 2007 taxes they will save at least $15.
Gibbud pointed out that taxpayers in Bee County have many options when it comes to payment of taxes. The public can come to the office located at 411 E. Houston St., between 8:15 a.m. and noon and 1 to 5 p.m. or use the drive-thru window on the east side of the building facing Harrison Street.
Paying taxes through the mail is always an option.
To avoid the 15 percent penalty in July, payments for 2007 taxes must be postmarked on or before June 30. The drop box on the east side of the tax office should not be used to pay the June amount due after 5 p.m. on June 30.
“A payment placed in the drop box after 5 p.m. on June 30 will be considered a partial payment and the attorney’s fees will be due,” Gibbud said.
Taxes may be paid via the Internet at www.officialpayments.com or by calling 1-800-272-9829. There is a fee for this service.
“People who owe delinquent taxes in addition to the 2007 delinquent taxes are invited to work with the tax office personnel to discover the method of payment which works best for them,” Gibbud said.
“Taxpayers always have the option to work out a payment agreement to get their taxes paid; the sooner the better from a cost standpoint.”
Some individual taxpayers owe tens of thousands of dollars in back property taxes, Gibbud noted.
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