County Property Tax Collections at 46.5% as of January 31

DeKalb Countians have less than a month to pay their property taxes for 2011 without penalty.
Taxes are due to the trustee’s office by Wednesday, February, 29th. After that date,
penalty and interest begin to accrue at a rate of 1.5 percent per month.
Property taxes from 2010 may be paid at the trustee’s office through March 31st. After that, they will be turned over to the clerk and master’s office and subject to additional fees.
Trustee Sean Driver said about $3.4 million of the expected $7.4 million-plus in tax rolls have been collected so far or 46.5% as of Tuesday, January 31. But, Driver added that collections are expected to pick up significantly during the next four weeks.
Driver said taxes may be mailed in, paid in person, or by debit or credit card either in the trustee’s office or on-line at www.tennesseetrustee.com. ” We are offering credit and debit card processing through the Business Information Systems for the property owners of DeKalb County. You may pay your property taxes using a VISA, MASTERCARD, or DISCOVER card. It can be handled on-line, in the Trustee’s Office, or by phone.”
Driver explained that a 2.75% convenience fee will be added to your tax bill, if you take advantage of on-line payment with a debit or credit card or 1.5% by e-check, but the county does not collect it (additional fee). “If you want to do those payments on line, it is fast, easy, and secure. On-line payments may be made at www.tennesseetrustee.com. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also pay your taxes in our office at 732 South Congress Boulevard, Room 103. Our phone number is 615-597-5176. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.”
Payments can also be placed in a drop box on the outside wall of the new county office complex on South Congress Boulevard. “If the last day comes and you can’t make it to the post office to postmark your payment, we do have a drop box on the outside wall of our new location,” said Driver.
Seniors, be sure to check with the office on the state property tax relief program. The income limit is $26,830 for single or combined household incomes. If a senior qualifies for the state program, they will also qualify for some assistance through the county. Disabled veterans and disabled homeowners may qualify for tax relief as well. If you meet the requirements you may apply in the Trustee’s Office. The deadline to apply is 35 days after February 29th, 2012 or April 5th, 2012.
If you have any additional questions, come by the Trustee’s office or call 597-5176.