September 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County land owners will learn how much their 2019 property taxes have increased next week.
Trustee Sean Driver has announced that tax notices are going out in the mail soon and the taxes will be due and payable starting October 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2020. The Trustee’s office will be open all day on Saturday, February 29 from 8:00am to 4:30pm.
For 2019, the DeKalb County property tax rate has increased to $2.1235 from $1.8335 per $100 of assessed value.
The tax notices include an example provided by Trustee Driver on how the property taxes are calculated.
For example, Appraisal Value $125,000 x Assessed Value @ 25% equals $ 31,250 x Residential Tax Rate 2.1235% results in $ 664 tax to pay
As in recent years, the 2019 property tax notices are printed in a DeKalb County school color. This year the notices bear the “Gold” school color of DeKalb West School.
“For 2019, I have chosen an “Old Gold” color, with black lettering, which will go back many years when I attended DeKalb West Elementary. I can still remember the “Old Gold” Bulldog at the Liberty Basketball Gym. Today, however, you will see the school colors are Black and Golden Yellow Gold. Time changes everything,” said Driver.
The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your property taxes:
*Come in person to the office to pay
*Mail in your payment
* Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor BIS (Business Information Systems) accepts Discover, MasterCard, or American Express-The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.
* A QR (Quick Response Code) is also your means of accessing the website www.tennesseetrustee.org with your smart phone.
* Dropbox located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.
*Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is made.
The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Property Tax Relief Program on October 1, 2019 through April 6, 2020. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief for property taxes, come by the Trustee’s office in the County Complex at 732 S Congress Boulevard-Room 103, Smithville or call 615-597-5176.
Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:
*The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners tax relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and has a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 406 applicants on the program for 2019. As a property owner for 2019, you can qualify for Tax Relief if: ( A.) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence, ( B.) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2019, (C.) Under 65 years of age with a total and permanent disability per the SSA or another qualifying agency, and (D.) The 2018 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses DID NOT exceed $29,860.00. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $140.00 for 2019. You must pay your 2019 tax bill IN FULL to start the application.
* Also, the State of Tennessee offers TAX RELIEF to Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of a disabled veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse will NOT have to report any income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow or widower of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $863.00.