Property Tax Deadline Is January 31

The Jan. 31 property tax deadline is less than a week away and the Smith County tax office wants property owners to know that owning property means owing taxes.

"If you own property, you owe taxes," said Tax Assessor/Collector Gary Barber. "A lot of people assume because they didn't receive a statement that they don't have to pay but that's not the way it is. They are still responsible for that property and the taxes on it."

Barber said owners not exempt from paying property taxes need to be aware that penalties begin at 7 percent on Feb. 1 and increase 2 percent per month until reaching 18 percent on July 1.

He said by July a person's tax statement will have incurred a 33 percent penalty and he encourages payment even if it is not the full amount.

Owners with questions can contact the tax office staff for information regarding properties, Barber said. He said staff can locate the tax information with the address or former property owner's name.

Property owners can also access tax information and make payment on the county Web site.

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