Property tax deadline looms

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
Property owners are starting to file into the Franklin County courthouse trying to take care of their tax fees.
The time to pay property taxes is drawing near as 2010 creeps closer. Franklin County Revenue Commissioner Gene Ellison said many people have gotten a jump-start on paying their taxes this year.
He said even though jobs have been scarce, people have seemed to handle it nicely. Ellison warns those, however, who might have let it slip their minds.
The holidays can be tricky for some folks because they are unaware of office hours. The post office windows will be closing at noon on Wednesday and Thursday, and then closed all day on Friday. The windows will also be closed on Saturday, but that will not hinder regularly scheduled mail deliveries.
Ellison said the revenue commission office is on pace to bring in the same amount that was accumulated last year.
There are discounts for those who may be struggling and meet certain qualifications. People may sign up for a Homestead Exemption. This is considered a tax break property owners may be entitled to if they own a single-family residence and occupies it as their primary residence on the first day of the tax year for which they are applying.
The homestead must be requested; it is not an automatic discount. Penalties will be enforced for those who are late making their payments. A late fee of $5 plus interest will be added for those who are late.
If someone is still having problems by the time February roles around, a $10 citation fee will be added to the final balance of the tax. The ultimate penalty for not paying property taxes by April will result in a loss of property.
Those properties that are taken away will be put up for auction around April 23, 2010.
The Franklin County Revenue Commissioner’s Office will be open on New Year’s Eve until 5 p.m.