With the emergence of the Coronavirus Pandemic, life as most of us know it has been put on hold. Even the nation’s official Tax Day has been extended to July 15. With the flurry of changes going on, several industries have shifted gears, including the property tax landscape. Here’s the most up to date information on how COVID-19 has impacted property taxes at both a local and national level.
How Have Local Property Taxes Been Impacted?
Actual property tax bills already went out to constituents last fall, with expected payment in February. Since this was all prior to the declaration of a pandemic, we won’t experience some of the extensions others are seeing in parts of the nation. However, there are still some ways your property taxes could be impacted.
According to state tax code, Property Tax Appraisals are issued no earlier than April 1. Most are issued near April 15th but many are delayed this year due to government closures.
As always, the deadline to file a property tax protest is 30 days after the date on the appraisal notice, so it’s important that homeowners heed the notice date and mark their calendars accordingly if a property tax protest is something they need.
Can You Still Pay Your Property Taxes?
Not all property owners pay their taxes in one lump sum. Some have worked out payment plans with their county in order to pay off their tax bill over time. The good news is that even though physical county offices are closed, you can still get your payments in on time.
While you can’t walk into the office to make your payments, they can still be processed through your county’s online portal. This is a simple way for you to keep track of your payments and your bill amount while sheltered in place.
Are Property Tax Protests Still Happening?
One of the biggest services we offer clients is the ability to assist with property tax protests. Even though county offices are closed until shelter in place mandates are lifted, your property tax protest could still be right on schedule.
Tax rolls still need to be certified in July, so the timelines for property tax protests still need to remain as close to schedule as possible. Property tax consultants like us are still working for our clients throughout the pandemic and are ready to safely help you save money on your future property tax bills.
Have Property Tax Questions? The Hegwood Group is Still Here!
Fortunately, most property tax questions can be taken care of while practicing social distancing. At the Hegwood Group, we take every necessary precaution to ensure that we can answer your property tax queries while keeping you safe.
If you have any concerns about your property taxes, contact us today! We’ll be happy to help create some peace of mind during these uncertain times.
