Tax Deadline Nears For County Residents

The deadline is nearing for Franklin County residents to pay their property taxes.

They have until Monday at midnight to put payments in a drop box behind the county government building.

Franklin County Collector of Revenue Linda Emmons said she will check the drop box shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 1, for last-minute payments.

Tax payments postmarked Dec. 31 will also be accepted without penalty.

Emmons’ office is charged with collecting taxes on personal property, real estate and railroad/utilities.

A total of $104.8 million in taxes was billed out. Of that, $16.4 million is for personal property; $76.7 million, real estate; and $11.7 million, railroad/utility taxes.

As of Wednesday, 56 percent of the total collections had been received compared to 54 percent the same time last year.

Emmons said a long line of people paying their taxes stretched from her office to the front door of the government building Thursday.

Late payments will be charged a penalty of 2 percent interest each month, capping at 18 percent in September. An additional 7 percent late charge for keeping the delinquent payer’s name on the books is also charged.

Depending on how much the bill is, the late fees can get really costly, Emmons said.

Her office will be open on weekdays during normal working hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to accept payments. Her office will be open regular working hours on Monday, which is New Year’s Eve.

The office will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day.