SUBMITTED REPORT
Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway reminds residents that 2012 taxes on real property, personal property and businesses must be paid by January 31, 2013, to avoid late fees and penalties.
Caraway urged residents to avoid penalties for late payments by paying promptly and by paying as much as possible by Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, if they are unable to pay the full amount. Penalty and interest begin at 7 percent on February 1 and increase 2 percent per month until July when the penalty and interest reach 18 percent. In July, a collection penalty of 15 percent is added and the interest continues to accrue at an additional 1 percent per month.
The tax office accepts partial payments on current and delinquent taxes but they must be received by January 31, 2013, to avoid penalties for 2012.
“Under state law even if you don’t get a statement you are still responsible for paying your property tax,” Caraway said. “If you do not receive a tax bill and do not have a mortgage company or tax agent, please contact our office to make sure that we have your correct billing address, or visit the Tax Office website at www.hayscountytax.com to check your account.” The Hays County Tax Office sends a consolidated tax bill each October showing the amount of taxes owed to each taxing entity, such as cities, counties, schools and special districts.
Residents who are 65 and older or disabled qualify for quarterly payments for their homestead property and no penalties or interest is assessed if those payments are received on time. To qualify, residents must file for this exemption and make the first quarter payment by January 31. Remaining quarterly payments are due by April 1 (March 31, the official due date, is a Sunday), May 31 and July 31.
The tax office accepts cash, checks, money orders, credit cards and electronic check payments. There is a fee for using credit cards, debit cards and electronic checks.
Payments can be made at any Hays County tax office: San Marcos at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail (drive-through available on the east side of the building), Buda at 500 Jack C. Hays Trail, Kyle at 111 N. Front Street and Dripping Springs at 195 Roger Hanks Parkway. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Kyle office is closed from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. each day, and the Dripping Springs office is closed from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Fridays. To pay by phone, call 1-888-546-4337. To pay online, go to the Hays County website or directly to tax office information at www.hayscountytax.com.
