STAFF REPORT
It’s tax time in Hays County. About 8,000 annual tax statements – totaling $215 million – were mailed last week to individuals and businesses throughout the county.
Payment is due upon receipt, according to Hays County Tax Assessor-Collector Luanne Caraway.
In a news release, Caraway urged residents to avoid penalties by paying promptly and by paying as much as possible before the end of January, if property owners are unable to pay the full amount. Penalty and interest begin at 7 percent on Feb. 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 one percent per month.
The tax office accepts partial payments on current and delinquent taxes but payment must be received by Jan. 31 to avoid penalties for 2011.
“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,” Caraway said. “Under state law, even if you don’t get a statement you are still responsible for paying your property tax.”
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 March 31, May 31 and July 31.
The statements include levies from all taxing entities in the county, except for the Dripping Springs ISD, for real property, personal property and business taxes. Dripping Springs ISD has scheduled a tax ratification election for next Tuesday, and bills for the school district taxes will be mailed out after the results of that election are certified.
