February 19, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
With only 9 days left until the deadline, 2020 DeKalb County property tax collections are running a little ahead as of today (Friday, February 19) compared to the same day last year.
As of this morning (Friday) Trustee Sean Driver said collections were at 70.5% of almost $10.8 million in DeKalb County property taxes to be collected by February 28, 2021 which includes property, residential, commercial, personal, and public utility taxes. Collections as of this date (February 19) a year ago were 65.15%. For budgeting purposes, the county expects tax collections each year to be at least 94.75% with a 5.25% delinquency.
The Trustees office is open Monday-Friday each week from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. This year’s deadline falls on a weekend and while the Trustee’s Office will be closed Saturday and Sunday, February 27 & 28 due to the weekend (when the office is typically closed) and COVID-19 concerns there are other options to pay your property taxes including by mail, online, and at the dropbox located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) on South Congress Boulevard.
“Remember if the last day comes and you can’t make it to the Post Office to postmark your payment you can drop the payment in our dropbox. If you choose to use our dropbox on February 27 or February 28 we will gather the mail in the office on Monday morning, March 1 and no interest will be applied to your 2020 tax bill,” said Trustee Driver.
“If you do place your payment in our dropbox that weekend (February 27 or February 28) make sure it is by check or money order. If you make a cash payment be sure it is in the exact amount because if you overpay we cannot make a refund,” added Driver.
Property taxes are now due and payable through February 28, 2021 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2021.
The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your property taxes prior to February 28, 2021:
*Come in person to the office to pay (Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.)
*Mail in your payment (a receipt can be sent to you upon request)
* 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 is accepting applications for the Tennessee Property Tax Relief Program through April 5, 2021.
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.
Meanwhile any 2019 property taxes still unpaid will be turned over by the Trustee to the Chancery Court for collection the week of April 1, 2021. Full or partial payments are being accepted with interest and penalty on unpaid 2019 property taxes through April 1, 2021.