The Shadow
Covington real estate tax bills with the new tax rate of 69 cents were mailed Monday with second half personal property taxes bills that do not include license fees.
Treasurer Eunice Wright said the early mailing allows taxpayers more than 30 days to make payments before the Dec. 5 deadline.
Taxes not paid by the deadline can become subject to legal action.
Tax bills include return envelopes for payments. Taxpayers can write one check for all the taxes and mail them together. The bottom third of the tax sheet must be returned with the payment.
Any late file penalties that are shown on personal property bills are assessed by the commissioner of the revenue’s office for failure to file or not filing timely with that office in the month of January.
If a taxpayer owned an automobile on Jan. 1, 2011, they must pay both halves even if the car is no longer in possession.
“Taxpayers should not reduce any amounts on the tax bills, only the commissioner of revenue can alter the bill,” Wright said. “Please be aware that a late-file charge is a penalty for both halves. Any other questions regarding the new assessments on taxes of real estate or personal property may be answered by calling 965-6350. Late payment penalties will be assessed after Dec. 5.”
Taxpayers should receive separate bills for real estate taxes. Wright said taxpayers should count the number of land parcels they own and match them with their tax tickets.
“All taxes were mailed to the last address unless a bank, tax service, or mortgage company holds your real estate in escrow. The Virginia State Code section 58.1-3912 requires the banks, etc., to ask for this in writing from the treasurer’s office. If taxpayers receive a statement that should go to the bank please call your bank and forward the bill to them,” Wright said.
Wright’s office will mail a receipt after payment has been made.
Payment may be made in person at city hall on the main floor, or by mailing the blue or green statements to Treasurer, Eunice Dressler Wright, CGT, P.O. Drawer 878, Covington, Va. 24426.
The taxpayer also has the option to pay real estate and personal property taxes with a credit card or by visiting officialpayments.com. The city’s code number is 6218. The treasurer’s office at city hall is open Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to receive payments for all types of taxes.
If the property has been sold, we request that the statement be forwarded to the new owner or sent to the lawyer who handled the sale of property to forward to correct owner,” she said.
“Failure to receive a tax statement does not relieve the taxpayer of penalty or interest according to the Virginia State Code. If you did not receive a statement you may can call 965-6340 for a duplicate bill,” Wright said.
