Tax Office Web Site Helps Taxpayers Avoid 7% Penalty
Payment Options Include Web, Mail, Phone, And In Person At 15 Tax Office Branches And Appraisal District

HOUSTON – January 27, 2006 – Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt is reminding taxpayers that they can avoid lines and deadline worries by going “online instead of in line” to pay their 2005 property taxes before next week’s January 31 deadline.

“Property tax bills in Harris County are going up fast enough without adding on penalties,” said Bettencourt. “My office is making it as easy as possible for taxpayers to avoid a costly 7 percent penalty by making sure they can get online and pay their tax bill before 11:59 on Tuesday night.”

Harris County property taxpayers may pay their 2005 property taxes online at www.hctax.net by e-check or credit card. E-checks are processed without a transaction fee. Credit card payments may also be made by touch-tone phone by calling 713-368-CARD (2273). A non-refundable transaction fee of 2.15% is added to all credit card charges. Web payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And, of course, taxpayers can always drop their check in the mail, as long as they make sure to have it postmarked no later than January 31.

“More than 45 percent of the 2005 Harris County net current property tax collections had already been received by January 20, a new record for the Tax Office,” said Bettencourt. “We’ve already collected more than $1 billion, meaning hundreds of thousands of taxpayers are avoiding that deadline pressure to get their payments in.”

In addition, Bettencourt has assigned Tax Office employees to work at the Harris County Appraisal District offices at 13013 Northwest Freeway today and on January 30 and 31 to accept property tax payments there. Payments by check or money order only will be accepted at HCAD offices at that time. Bettencourt also has directed the downtown branch of the tax office at 1001 Preston to extend its hours on Tuesday, January 31, until 6 p.m.

“We don’t want taxpayers to pay the hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars in late penalties that can be so easily avoided by getting their 2005 tax payments in by January 31,” Bettencourt said. “Even if you are unable to pay the entire bill, at least make a partial payment. The longer you wait, the more you’re going to pay.”

For individual property tax assistance, please visit any of the 15 tax branches or call 713-368-2000. To view statements online or get more information, log on to www.hctax.net.

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