The property tax deadline set for Saturday, and county trustees across the Upper Cumberland are urging residents to avoid common mistakes that could lead to penalties or delays.
Putnam County Trustee Freddie Nelson said people simply forget to pay their taxes, while others wait too long to mail their payment.
“I think that there are a lot of times that they are missing a deadline and not getting it postmarked by the date that is supposed to be done,” Nelson said.
Fentress County Trustee Angie Sweet said in most cases, those who miss the deadline are unable to pay their property taxes on time.
“Sometimes they just don’t have the money until their income tax comes in, or just different reasons,” Sweet said. “We do take partial payments, though, every year for their taxes when they come out.”
Nelson said it is crucial to make sure you receive your property tax notice when it goes out in October. Nelson said not receiving a notice is not an excuse for failing to pay property taxes on time.
“There is no nice way to put it,” Nelson said. “But regardless of whether you get a notice or not, you are still required to pay by the deadline.”
Nelson said a 1.5 percent interest penalty is added each month taxes remain unpaid after the deadline. Nelson also added that some people are discouraged from paying property taxes in person due to the long lines closer to the deadline date. He said he has noticed more people each year paying their property taxes the day or week after the deadline.
“It really shocks me a lot to see that, you know, when they have to pay like 1.5 percent interest on that,” Nelson said. “Like I say, we try to keep that line down to keep them moving where they don’t have a big line out there.”
Sweet said the best ways to pay property taxes this week are either online or in person at the trustee’s office. Sweet said it may be too late to mail a payment in for this year’s deadline.
Nelson and Sweet both said their trustee offices will be open Saturday to give residents an extra opportunity to pay since the deadline falls on a weekend this year. Sweet said her office will be open from 8am to 4pm, while Nelson said his office will be open for half a day.