Tax Notices mailed to property owners

If you own property in Highlands County you should have received, or soon will be receiving, your tax bill in the mail from the Highlands County Tax Collector's Office.

The 2009 tax statements were mailed Oct. 30, said Lisa Bryson, administrative assistant with the Highlands County Tax Collector.

"It they do not receive it by the middle of November they should contact our office, especially if they have had a change of address" she said.

This year, 131,111 tax notices were mailed, which is a slight decrease from 2008 when 131,236 were sent.

Ad valorem taxes, based on the assessed value of real property, are collected on an annual basis beginning on Nov. 1 for the tax year Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

The tax bill/notice is mailed to the owner's address, as it appears on the certified tax roll.

Those who pay their annual taxes this month will get a 4 percent discount.

"We get a lot who pay early," Bryson said. "Our busiest months are November and March."

Also, paying early will get you a discount in December (3 percent), January (2 percent) and February (1 percent).

The gross amount is due in March with the taxes becoming delinquent April 1 when a 3 percent penalty is added to the bill plus advertising costs.

Bryson noted that VISA credit cards are no longer accepted in the Highlands County Tax Collector's offices, but other major credit cards are accepted. Online VISA payments will still be accepted.

Payments can also be made by telephone and wire transfer.

Taxpayers can also sign up for payment by automatic clearing house, which authorizes the Tax Collector's Office to automatically debit an account on a specific date.

The Highlands County Tax Collector's main office is located in the Government Center at 540 S. Commerce Ave, Sebring. Phone: 402-6685.