Deadline for 2009 Property Taxes ApproachesCLEARWATER - Pinellas County Tax Collector Diane Nelson reminds residents that all 2009 tax payments for real estate and tangible personal property taxes must be received by March 31 to avoid interest charges. Payments received after March 31 will be delinquent and will accumulate 3 percent interest for real estate taxes and 1.5 percent for tangible property taxes. To make tax payments before the deadline, property owners can use any of the following methods: www.taxcollect.com, payment drop boxes at any Pinellas County Tax Collector office, or regular U.S. Postal Service mail. Online payments are due by 11:59 p.m. and can be made with a credit card or E-check, a secure system of transferring funds directly from personal or business bank accounts. Payments sent through the mail must be postmarked by March 31st. After March 31st, all 2009 tax payments require certified funds - cashier's check, certified check, money order, cash or credit card. Property owners will have until 5:00 p.m. on May 28th to pay 2009 real estate taxes to avoid having their tax lien - consisting of delinquent taxes, accrued interest, and costs associated with the sale - sold at the annual Pinellas County Tax Certificate Sale, an online auction on June 1st where bidders have an opportunity to pay past-due taxes to the county on behalf of delinquent property owners. After a tax certificate has been sold, property owners must pay all delinquent taxes, interest accrued between April 1st and the date of payment, and costs associated with the sale. For more information about property tax deadlines or for answers concerning your specific situation, please visit www.taxcollect.com, or call (727) 464-7777 to speak to a customer service representative.
|