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P R E S S    R E L E A S E

   AVOID PENALTY & INTEREST

FINAL INSTALLMENT PAYMENT DUE

AUGUST 2^ND

 The fourth and final installment payment of property taxes for seniors and disabled homeowners  must be postmarked no later than August 2^nd in order to avoid costly penalty and interest charges.

 The Galveston, League City, Texas City, and Santa Fe branches of the Tax Office are open every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friendswood office Thursday and Friday from 8:00 am to Noon and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Our Crystal Beach office is open the third Tuesday of every month.

 Payments may be deposited in the drop boxes located at all but the Crystal Beach office or paid on-line using e-check or credit card at the Tax Assessor/Collector website at www.galcotax.com.

 Convenient installment coupons and envelopes where mailed to all qualified individuals making installment payments in February.  Should you need additional information, please contact a Property Tax Specialist at 409-766-2481 or toll free at 1-877-766-2284.

P R E S S    R E L E A S E

Call for 30,000 Taxpayers to Contact County Tax Office

 More than 30,000 property owners in Galveston County recently received 33.07 delinquent property tax notices (May letters) from GCTO last month.  This is the second notification sent each year to County taxpayers.  The February reminder notices generally allow us to correct any posting errors and allows property owners an opportunity to demonstrate that an attempt to pay timely was made.

 By May, penalties and interest have already reached the alarming rate of 13% on the unpaid balance, 15% in June.  July 1^st, 33% to 38% penalty, interest, and attorney fees accrue, unless you sign a payment agreement with the County Tax Office.

Pay agreements will not stop penalty and interest from continuing to rise but, when honored, prevent the 15% to 20% attorney fee from being assessed.  Taxpayers need to be aware that the deadline to sign an agreement is June 30^th and that a down payment is required to establish the contract.

 Please contact the Property Tax Department of the Galveston Tax Office no later than June 30^th and avoid additional charges!

PRESS RELEASE 
 

Important Information About Your Property Taxes! 
 

Senior and disabled homeowners making installment payments on the homestead property taxes need to be aware that the third payment is due by June 1^st in order to avoid hefty penalty and interest charges (6% penalty and 1% interest).  The fourth and final installment payment will be due by August 2^nd so mark your calendars now! 

Notices on unpaid tax accounts will be mailed by mid-May and, according to County Tax Assessor Collector Cheryl E. Johnson.  "Property owners making installment payments are excluded from this mailing unless prior year delinquent taxes are due.  If you receive one of the delinquent tax notices and are set up for the installment payments, please call our office so that we may research our records," stated Johnson. 

Those unable to remit payment by June 30^th are encouraged to visit the Property Tax Department at 722 Moody on Galveston Island in order to apply for a monthly payment agreement, thus avoiding an additional 15% to 20% in fees that will be added to unpaid accounts beginning July 1.  Monthly payment agreements are available for up to 36 months but taxpayers are encouraged to avoid the excessive penalties and interest and pay off the taxes as quickly as possible.   

Payments may be made in person at the Galveston, League City, Santa Fe, and Texas City branches of the Tax Office weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm, Friendswood City Hall Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm (except for one hour from Noon to 1 pm) and the Crystal Beach office which is open the third Tuesday of each month. 

Property tax payments may also be deposited in drop boxes located at most locations or paid on-line using e-check or credit card.  Visit our website at www.galcotax.com and click on the red database button.  Should you require additional information, please contact a Property Tax Specialist at 409-766-2481 or call toll free at 1-877-766-2284 (ask for the Property Tax Department).

The Notices Have Arrived & Classes Have Begun!

If it is not bad enough that the annual IRS deadline is here, residents began receiving appraisal notices from the Galveston Central Appraisal District last week.  If you are one of thousands receiving a notice of appraised value for the 2010 tax year, do not fret... help is on the way!

Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector Cheryl E. Johnson has begun her annual tour throughout the area presenting her class, "Effectively Protesting Your Property's Appraised Value for Taxes." Don't miss the opportunity to find out how to reduce your tax burden!  All classes begin at 6 pm.

Date               Location

4/20                Railroad Museum, 218 FM 517, Dickinson

4/27                Rosenberg Library, Harris Gallery, 2510 Sealy, Galveston

4/29                Village on the Park, 400 East FM 528, Friendswood

5/4                  JP Courtroom, North County Annex, 174 Calder Drive, League City

5/6                  Hitchcock Library, 8005 Barry Avenue, Hitchcock

5/18                Room T-1101 Technical Vocational Bldg., College of the Mainland, 1200 N.

                           Amburn Road, Texas City

5/25                Public Safety Bldg, 747 Tiki Drive, Tiki Island

P R E S S    R E L E A S E

Second Installment Payment Due by March 31^st!

Attention senior and disabled homeowners making installment payments on property taxes!  The second installment on your 2009 property taxes is due by March 31^st to avoid penalty and interest charges. Failure to postmark payments by the deadline will result in hefty penalty and interest charges that you do NOT want to pay!

Convenient installment coupons and envelopes were recently mailed to all individuals making installment payments on their homestead.  Return coupon and check or money order in the preaddressed green envelope and drop in the mail before March 31^st.  IF YOU FAILED TO RECEIVE THE COUPONS, please contact the Property Tax Department, email, or call today!   Property Tax Specialists may be reached by calling 409-766-2481 or 1-877-766-2284 (toll free).

The Galveston, League City, Santa Fe, and Texas City branches of the Galveston County Tax Office are open Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and the Friendswood office opens Thursday and Friday (except for lunch from Noon to 1:00 pm).  Payments may be deposited in the drop box located outside each location or may be paid on-line at www.galcotax.com.