Property owners who have not paid their 2010 taxes by June 30 will incur a large increase in their bill on July 1, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Don Sumners said.  

“On July 1, by law, the Tax Office must turn over all delinquent accounts to the collection attorneys of the taxing jurisdictions we work with,” Sumners said. “If you are delinquent on July 1, your bill will go up by more than 20 percent that day.”

For example, a tax bill of $100 in January grows to $115 in June, with $15 penalty and interest. On July 1, it grows to $142, with an additional $27 in penalty and interest.

“You don’t have to suffer such a blow,” Sumners said. “If you are not delinquent in a prior year, you can sign an installment agreement with my office for payment of your 2010 taxes and make a partial payment of your 2010 taxes.”

On May 23 the Tax Office began mailing more than 112,000 delinquent tax notices informing taxpayers of an additional 20 percent collection penalty if they don’t pay by June 30. The mailing includes about 7,000 notices to homeowners who are over 65 or disabled. These notices include a Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) form to request a property tax deferral, which allows these homeowners to delay payment of their property taxes and prevents any property tax foreclosure while they live in the home. Active military personnel may also qualify for a deferral/waiver.

To avoid added penalty and interest and save time and gasoline, Harris County residents can pay online or by telephone.

The Tax Office accepts full or partial payment of property taxes. Taxpayers may use any combination of credit cards and/or e-Checks for payment online at www.hctax.net. Credit card and e-Check payments are also accepted by touch-tone telephone by calling 713-368-CARD, ext. 2273. merican Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit or debit cards are also accepted. A non-refundable surcharge of 2.15 percent will be added to each credit card payment transaction processed. VISA debit cards will be charged a flat fee of $3.95 and e-Checks are free.

If taxpayers wish to arrange for an installment agreement or a military deferral/waiver or have any other questions regarding their property tax account, taxpayers should contact the Tax Office at 713-368-2000. Taxpayers who are over 65 or disabled should complete the form enclosed with the notice and send it to HCAD or call 713-957-7800.

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