Delinquent Property Taxes To Go Up 26.6% Overnight
Nearly 200,000 Face Additional Collection Charges After July 1

HOUSTON - June 29, 2005 - Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt is urging thousands of taxpayers delinquent on their 2004 accounts to either pay their bills or to set up an installment plan by Thursday, June 30, 2005 to avoid large penalties of as much as 26.6%.

“Delinquent property taxpayers need to be aware of the June 30 deadline to avoid paying a much larger bill as of July 1,” said Bettencourt. “Taxpayers unable to pay their entire delinquent 2004 property taxes should call the Tax Office before the deadline to establish a six-month installment payment plan to avoid the penalties that can drive their bills up by hundreds of dollars more.”

Nearly 200,000 delinquent 2004 accounts will be turned over to delinquent tax attorneys for collection on July 1, 2005, prompting an additional penalty of 15% to 20% of the tax bill, plus and additional 18% penalty and interest - hiking the total bill by as much as 41.6%.

“With the additional penalties and interest, the owner of an average value home in the Houston area could see his or her bill jump as much as $848 in just one day,” Bettencourt said. “They can avoid that unnecessary cost by either paying their bill by June 30 or contacting my office at 713-368-2000 to set up an installment plan.”

Delinquent property taxes may be paid in full online before the June 30 deadline by credit card or e-Check, a free check at www.hctax.net. Credit cards may also be used for payment using a touch-tone phone by calling 713-368-CARD (2273). A vendor transaction fee of 2.15% will be added to all credit card payments.

Partial payments by check or cash are also accepted by mail or at any of the 15 Harris County Tax Office locations without an agreement. Any remaining balance after June 30, 2005 will incur the additional collection penalty of 15-20%.

For additional information regarding property taxes, Harris County property taxpayers may call 713-368-2000 or visit the Tax Office website at www.hctax.net.

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