One item that is probably not on anyone’s holiday shopping list is paying property taxes.
But Brazos County Tax Assessor-Collector Kristy Roe says you can pay it all at the end of January or you have until this Friday to pay half.
Roe says walk-up business has been brisk since last week. She reminds those considering payment in person to expect to wait in line, and if you’re mailing to make sure the postmark is no later than Friday.
And for those who can’t take advantage of split payments and also know they can’t pay the entire bill by the end of January, Roe says to pay what you can when you can. That will reduce the balance subject to interest and penalties after February 1st.
Click HERE to be directed to the Brazos County tax website where payments can also be made online with credit and debit cards and from your checking account.
WTAW’s Bill Oliver visits with Kristy Roe.
More information is courtesy of Kristy Roe:
Traffic in the Brazos County Tax Office has been brisk in the Property Tax lobby, but the tax office is still preparing for long lines of taxpayers waiting for the last possible opportunity to make that optional first half payment on their property tax bill. For those taxpayers that plan to take advantage of the “split payment” option on their 2012 property taxes, Friday November 30th is the deadline for that first half payment.
Brazos County taxing jurisdictions offer the two part payment plan to their taxpayers allowing a payment of ½ of the property tax bill on or before November 30 of the year the taxes are billed, and the second half payment on or before June 30 of the following year.
For those taxpayers who decide not to take advantage of the split payment plan, the full tax amount must be paid by January 31, 2013 to avoid penalty and interest for late payment. Unlike the split payment, partial payments can be accepted against the full payment option. Taxpayers mailing their tax payments are encouraged to place that payment in the mailbox by the 29th to make sure they receive a postmark of November 30. Payments postmarked December 1st or later cannot be accepted as half payments, and the balance of the tax will be due by January 31.
TAXPAYER TIPS includes (1) Bring your tax statements or a list of the properties you wish to pay with you. The clerks will be able to serve you faster and you will be sure of paying all of your accounts. You are responsible for identifying exactly what properties you intend to pay.
(2) If you are paying in person, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the tax office, and plan for emergencies. The Texas Property Tax Code does not allow the tax office any option for acceptance of late payments for this deadline. There is a drop box outside the property tax department along William J Bryan Pkwy for people who are in a rush, and for after hours payments. Money order, cashier checks or personal check payments can be placed in an envelope with account information and dropped after 5:00 PM. Payments dropped after midnight Friday will not qualify for the deadline.
(3) A timely payment by mail is determined by the U. S. Postal Service postmark. Taxpayers mailing payments on Friday are urged to take the payment inside their local Post Office and have it cancelled by a postal worker on that date. Many times payments that are dropped in the mail boxes outside of the post office or after post office business hours are postmarked with the next day’s date. A payment received that is postmarked December 1st will not qualify for the split payment plan. An additional safeguard is to mail the payment by Certified Mail. That provides a date stamped receipt to the taxpayer as proof of the date the payment was mailed.
(4) Another problem area for some is electronic payments generated through their bank. Taxpayers should remember that a check generated through their online bank account is still mailed to the tax office and will be posted according to the postmark, not the date the check is initiated.
(5) The Brazos County Tax Office offers several payment options that may help take the stress out of making the deadline for payment. The tax office now accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express in house for property tax payments. Internet payments with your credit card and E-check payments can be made from our website www.brazostax.org. After accessing their account, taxpayers can choose the payment type and be redirected to the Official Payments website to complete the payment process. In addition, credit card payments can be made over the telephone by calling 1-800-2paytax. Taxpayers paying by telephone will need to reference the jurisdiction code 5313 for Brazos County tax payments. There is a convenience fee for using these services, and taxpayers using the internet to pay their taxes must finalize the transaction before midnight November 30th.
(6) If a taxpayer is unsure of their balance, they should contact the tax office as soon as possible. The volume of calls for information is very heavy around payment deadlines, and it could be difficult for taxpayers to get their call through. An option for information is the Tax Office website, www.brazostax.org. Property tax information can be accessed by name, account number and address on this site.
(7) All payment option information can be found on the back of your tax statement. For more information please contact the Brazos County Tax Office at 979-361-4470.