The Escambia County tax collector’s office has mailed out more than $14.5 million in property tax renewal notices.
Tax Collector Joy Wiggins said Monday that 17,785 bills – some with combined parcels listed – were mailed at the beginning of October. Now, residents have until Dec. 31 to pay without a penalty.
“We actually started collecting on Oct. 1, too,” Wiggins said. “If you haven’t already gotten your bill in the mail, you should come by or call so that we can give you the total.”
Tax Assessor James Hildreth Jr. said residents should remember that property taxes – or ad valorem taxes – are billed a year in arrears.
“Which means that the figure you see on the bill is for Oct. 1, 2013,” he said. “Also, if you had any changes in property status, you should come and see us, especially if you bought new property and have lived on it for the year.”
Hildreth said there are property tax exemptions available to those who qualify, such as the homestead exemption and an exemption for the disabled and one for property owners over 65 that own and live on property. Those who wish to apply must do so in the office.
To qualify for the homestead exemption, property owners must have resided in the property since at least last September.
Residents who receive a tax bill have until Dec. 31 to pay the property tax. If that deadline is missed, there is a penalty fee. Taxpayers have two options in which to pay – they can either come to the courthouse or return the payment through the mail to P.O. Box 407, Brewton, AL 36427.
To contact the tax collector’s office in Brewton call 251.867.0300 or in Atmore at 251.368.8086.
To contact the tax assessor’s office in Brewton call 251.867.0303 or in Atmore at 251.368.8078.
Property taxes are distributed to the school systems, the county’s general fund and road/bridge fund, and other areas.