Property-tax penalty kicks in today

Advertiser Staff

If you haven't paid your property taxes yet, there's bad news for you: the city will attach a 10 percent penalty to your bill today.

The first of two annual tax payments was due at 4:30 p.m. yesterday, and the penalty kicks in after that.

If the tax and penalty aren't paid by Aug. 31, the city will add 1 percent per month in interest, a city spokeswoman said.

The city billed property owners a total of $509,810,830 in property taxes this year.

Property owners will be formally notified by mail of any delinquent taxes in October. If payment has not been made by next June, a tax collector will be assigned to follow up.

When taxes are delinquent for more than two years and the property owner won't work out a payment plan with the city, a lien can be placed on the property.