Tyler

By ROY MAYNARD
Staff Writer

The Smith County tax office is reporting a positive response to the county's new Web portal to tax information and payments.

Thursday is the last day to pay property taxes before they become past due, with penalties and interest being applied.

"Our customers are saying they like it," said Smith County Tax Assessor/Collector Gary Barber. "The people who come into our office on a regular basis to look up information are now able to work from home. Response has been so good we're looking at expanding our services online."

The Web site is www.smith-county.com.

People can now look up such things as property valuations, taxes due - both current and delinquent. Tax bills can be paid online, as well.

"There's still a 2.5 percent service fee for online payment, but that's a convenience for many of our customers," Barber said.

Payments mailed in to the tax office must be postmarked by Jan. 31, Barber notes.

"That doesn't mean just dropping it in the mail on Jan. 31," he says. "It has to be postmarked, or the penalty and interest will kick in."

Payments can be mailed or delivered to the tax office in the county's Cotton Belt Building at 1517 W. Front St.

The main mailing address is P.O. Box 2011, Tyler, TX 75710-2011.

Payments can be in cash, check or by money order or credit card. Taxpayers can still go to www.certifiedpayments.net to pay, and use bureau code 5350820.

Users will be able to print out a receipt.

Property owners (whose mortgage companies don't escrow their taxes) who have not yet received a tax statement should contact the tax office.

"State law says you're still responsible for the taxes, even if something gets lost in the mail," Barber says.

Penalties for late payment begin on Feb. 1, at 7 percent. That increases by 2 percent per month until July, when attorney fees are added, as well. Those fees are 15 percent of the tax bill; after that, another 1 percent is added per month until payment is made.

Elderly (over 65) and disabled residents qualify to make quarterly payments; no penalties or interest are assessed if payments are made on time (this only applies to homesteads). Paperwork must be filed and the first payment made by Jan. 31. For more information on this program, contact the tax office.

The tax office does accept partial payments on current and delinquent taxes, but those too must be made by Jan. 31 to avoid penalties for 2007.

The tax office telephone number is 903-590-2920. The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.