October 24, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Less than a month since notices were mailed to property owners, the Trustee’s Office is collecting taxes for the year 2018.
As of Monday, Trustee Sean Driver said 10% has been collected of the $9.06 million in 2018 DeKalb County property taxes to be collected by February 28, 2019 which includes property, residential, commercial, personal, and public utility taxes.
In a report to the County Commission Monday night, Driver said collections are coming in at about the same pace as last year.
“Taxes paid since October 1 are at $888,000. We are right on target with what October showed last year. Its always about the same although last year was very different at the end of March. We were at 94% collected and we had not been that high since 2006-07. It was a good year on collections getting in early. That may change this time because I have not found out yet whether property taxes can be counted off on income tax. That may keep some people from paying early,” said Trustee Driver.
He also reported that assets and liabilities are in balance at $21,779, 395 on all departments.
Property taxes are now due and payable through February 28, 2019 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2019.
The Trustee’s office offers at this time up to 6 different options to pay your property tax:
( 1.) Come in person to the office to pay,
( 2.) Mail in your payment
( 3.) Pay online at www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor (Business Information Systems) accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, 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.
(4.) A QR (Quick Response Code) is also on your notice to access the website www.tennesseetrustee.org. with your smart phone.
(5.) A Dropbox is located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.
(6.) Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay.
Eligible taxpayers may also qualify for the Tennessee State Tax Relief Program.
This program was implemented in 1973 and it has a few changes every year. For the 2018 tax year, you can qualify for Tax Relief if:
(a.) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence,
(b.) You are 65 years old (or older) as of December 31, 2018, or totally and permanently disabled as by the SSA or another qualifying agency, and
(c.) Your 2017 Annual Income of all persons on the deed and their spouses did not exceed $29,270.00.
“If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for a Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $118.00 for 2018. You must pay your 2018 tax bill IN FULL to start the application,” Trustee Driver explained.
The State of Tennessee also offers Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of a disabled veteran.
“You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a 100% service-connected disability. You or 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 $745.00”
“The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Tax Relief Program on October 1, 2018 through April 5, 2019. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief, come by the County Complex in the Trustee’s office at 732 S Congress Blvd-Room 103, Smithville, TN 37166 or call us at 615-597-5176,” Trustee Driver concluded.