Letters Going Out To Those With Unpaid Property Taxes

Taxpayers in Stephens County who have not yet paid their 2014 property taxes are getting a letter in the mail reminding them of the bill they have due.

Stephens County Tax Commissioner Dene Hicks said her office sent out about 2,000 letters to property owners who have still not paid their 2014 property taxes, which were due in November.

“They notify the taxpayer that unless the tax is paid by Friday, February 13, that a tax lien will be issued against that person and property,” said Hicks.

The letters also spell out the financial penalties that are being attached and will be attached to any late tax payment.

Currently, a late taxpayer will only pay interest on their late taxes, which accumulates at the rate of one percent interest per month.

Any taxes that remain unpaid after February 13 will also accrue an additional, one-time 10 percent penalty, along with what the letter terms as “other significant collection fees and additional costs.”

Hicks said that anyone who does not pay their property taxes by the February 13 deadline will then receive notice of the tax lien against their property.

“The next letter will be mailed out the week after that due date,” said Hicks. “We will schedule them for tax sales coming up. They will get a notice of what month their property is scheduled to be sold.”

Hicks said that as of this past Tuesday morning, unpaid taxes in Stephens County totaled about $1.18 million out of $18.26 million in taxes that were levied in all.

Overall, she said tax collections have gone well this year.

“I think we are about two percent ahead of where we were this time last year, even with the millage increase,” said Hicks.

Hicks said a year ago at this time, collections were at about 91 percent, while now, they are at about 93 percent.

Anyone who has received such a letter from the Tax Commissioner’s Office regarding unpaid property taxes and has questions should contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office at 706-886-6731.