Property tax deadline looming
With a deadline for avoiding penalties fast approaching, nearly half of the property tax accounts in Mobile County remain unpaid, according to Revenue Commissioner Marilyn E. Wood.
Payment must be received by Dec. 31 to avoid incurring a penalty.
According to Ms. Wood, about 47 percent of the tax accounts remain outstanding as of Dec. 19.
Wood recommended property owners pay by mail or use the department's online payment system unless there is a need to assess or claim an exemption.
Beginning Jan. 1, property owners will be subject to a $5 penalty plus an annual prorated 12% interest late fee, said Wood.
The Revenue Commissioner’s offices -- Main office on Michael Blvd., Theodore Branch, Eight Mile Branch, and the Downtown Branch -- will be open Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The Citronelle Branch will be open Tuesday, Dec. 30 and will reopen Jan. 6.
Property owners still have many ways to make their property tax payment on time, Wood noted. Payments and claims for an exemption will be accepted at any of the offices. Current Use applications must be in by Dec. 31 in order to have the property reviewed.
Payments postmarked by Dec. 31 will be accepted without penalties. Credit card payments by mail are acceptable. Fill out the credit card information located on the back of bill and sign the card. Payments may be made at any office by check, cash, Visa or MasterCard. Property owners may pay by phone with Visa or MasterCard. (The Revenue Commission does not not charge a fee for Visa and MasterCard payments; however a bank may charge a cash advance fee plus interest.)
On-line payments can be made on the revenue commission's web site, but payment must be posted by Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. to be accepted without penalties. Payments made after this time will have penalties and interest included in the total. There is no fee for Visa and MasterCard payments; however again the bank may charge a cash advance fee plus interest.
Supplement bills will be mailed on appeals to the Board of Equalization that are not completed by Dec. 31. These property owners will have thirty (30) days to pay without any penalties or interest from the date on the bill.
The deadline to claim any type of exemption (disability, 65 and over, regular homestead, educational, religious, charitable, or current use) for 2009 is Dec. 31. Property owners over 65-years-old and individuals on disability exemptions who received a letter in early December indicating that the office has not received their exemption information need to forward the information to the revenue commissioner's office by Dec. 31. Call 574-4739 or 574-8755 if uncertain about what to send to the office.
The deadline for filing Business Personal Property Returns is Dec. 31. Penalties will be added to accounts filed after this date. This report applies to equipment, fixtures, supplies and furnishings of a company. For questions, call 574-4714.
For tax bill information call 251-574-8545 or 251-574-8530.
