The January 31 property tax deadline is fast approaching.
The Nueces County Tax Collector’s office says despite the shutdown, all furloughed workers will still have to meet the property tax deadline by the end of this month.
With the ongoing government shutdown, its hands are tied unless legislation steps in to help.
Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Kevin Kieschnick says there’s nothing to be done about the January 31 property tax deadline. Any deviation from tax collection deadlines requires legislation or an executive order to override state law.
“The Texas law does not allow us to do anything about that sort of thing. So the only way something can happen would be if the state legislature steps in and passes a law authorizing tax assessors to do something for these federal workers during that time period. But as of right now, there is nothing in the tax code that permits us or gives us the authority to wave any penalties or interest or give them extensions at this time,” said Nueces County Tax Assessor-Collector Kevin Kieschnick.
However, Kieschnick does offer advice to residents who think they may be delinquent as of February 1.
“I do encourage anybody, whether you are a federal worker or anybody else, the penalty and interest will only apply to the unpaid portion of your property tax. So if you are able to pay something, at least the penalty will only apply towards that unpaid portion, not the amount that you have paid. So I highly encourage people to see if they can find other options,” said Kieschnick.
Another option for taxpayers is that they can apply for a payment plan by accessing their account on the tax office website or by email, mail, phone or in person.
“The only thing that the payment plan does do is that it stops the lawsuits from attaching to the properties and the attorney fees from attaching to those properties on July 1,” said Kieschnick.
You can also try and ask your mortgage company, if applicable.They might be able to pay delinquent taxes and apply them to your monthly payment.
“This is one of the reasons this is a critical issue for this funding to take place by Congress because they are placing our federal workers’ homes at risk and possible foreclosure in the very near future,” said Kieschnick.
There is a penalty of 7 percent interest that is going to be added on for anybody who doesn’t pay his or her property taxes on or before January 31.
For more information visit: http://www.nuecesco.com/county-services/payments/pay-property-tax
