Tax bills going out Monday

GAINESVILLE - Hall County Tax Commissioner Keith Echols will mail 84,000 property tax bills on Monday, the same day that a 31-day period begins during which some delinquent taxpayers can settle with the county without penalties or interest.

County residents will receive a single tax bill for the full year's taxes and for the first time the bill is payable in two equal installments.

The first installment is due Oct. 1, and at least half of the total must be paid at this time to avoid paying 1 percent interest per month. The rest of the bill is due Dec. 1. Taxpayers will not receive a second bill when the second installment is due.

"It is very important that you pay your bill on time to avoid penalties and interest. So remember the two due dates this year: Pay at least half of your bill by Oct. 1, and pay the rest by Dec. 1," Echols said.

If the entire amount is not paid by Dec. 1, the taxpayer will be charged 1 percent interest per month until the bill is paid. Once the bill is 90 days late, a 10 percent penalty will be charged. If the bill is not paid by April 1, 2012, the taxpayer will be notified that the bill will be sent to a collection agency, and the Tax Commissioner files a tax lien on the property. The first property sale is in July, and a tax sale is held every month until all property is sold, Echols said.

There are several ways to pay property taxes:
- Pay online at tax.hallcounty.org using Visa, Mastercard, Discover or e-check

- Mail payment with the installment coupon to PO Box 1579, Gainesville, GA 30503

- Drop off a payment at the Tax Commissioner's office, 300 Henry Ward Way, Ste. 204 in Gainesville, in the Joint Administration Building next to the Hall County Courthouse.

Property owners who do not receive a bill by Aug. 15 should contact the Tax Commissioner at 770-531-6950.

DELINQUENT TAXPAYER GRACE PERIOD

Starting Monday, some Hall County taxpayers have a one-time opportunity to pay their overdue tax bills without penalties and interest. From Aug. 1-31, those who pay all county taxes owed from 2009 and previous years