More paying property tax in installments

~Cape Girardeau County began mailing tax bills this week.

A program allowing Cape Girardeau County property owners to make their tax payments as installments instead of a lump sum grew substantially during the year, County Collector Diane Diebold said Thursday.

About 180 residents have taken advantage of the program, which Diebold said helps people, especially those on a fixed income, manage their money.

"It has worked out for a lot of people," she said.

At this time last year, she said, the number using the free program stood at about 110. The county places the tax payments in a separate account, with the interest dedicated to the expense of maintaining the program.

Under the program, a taxpayer signs up to make 11 tax payments through the year via electronic debits to a savings or checking account. The first 10 payments are all the same amount, based on the previous year's tax, she said. The final payment, in November, is adjusted to reflect any increase or decrease in the total owed.

The program is similar to an escrow payment used by mortgage companies. The program is open to any real estate owner and enrollment is open now until July for the coming year, she said.

"We don't charge a fee for it," she said. "It is simply something that we are offering from the county."

Tax bills this year, which the county began mailing this week, will have a new look, Diebold said.

In addition to being printed on a green "laser form," the bills have more complete information and should help taxpayers keep better track of their payments.

Taxpayers who have not received all their bills -- sometimes owners of multiple parcels receive separate tax notices -- by Tuesday or Wednesday should call her office, she said.

Failure to receive a bill does not exempt a taxpayer from penalties or interest for late payment, she said.

The sheets have a tear-off section at the bottom that should be returned with the tax bills, a change from past bills when the taxpayers were expected to return the entire form, she said.

A receipt will be mailed out after payment is received, and will be on white paper to distinguish it from the tax bill stub.

The new tax forms, in addition to listing all the taxing entities that receive a portion of the money, show the other taxing districts in the county, Diebold said.

By examining the tax bill, she said, the new, more detailed format will help eliminate confusion over whether a particular taxpayer is in this or that library district, school district or other taxing entity.

If it is confusing, she said, she wants to hear feedback. "We are always looking for comments," Diebold said.

Tax payments are due by Jan. 1 to avoid a penalty. Personal property taxpayers who need a receipt to renew auto registration in January should mail their tax payments by Dec. 15 or visit the collector's offices in Jackson or Cape Girardeau, she said.

Anyone who isn't presed for time, she said, will be counted as having paid on time if their payment is postmarked by Dec. 31 or if payment is placed in the drop box outside county offices by that date, she said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126