CLARKESVILLE — Habersham County property taxes will be due 35 days earlier this year following a vote by the county commission Monday night.
“It has been the custom for the county in recent years to have property tax payments due by Dec. 20,” County Manager Phil Sutton told commissioners.
State guidelines are such that the latest the deadline can be without penalty is Dec. 20, according to Sutton. As long as the taxpayer is given 60 days from the date of the tax bills, the bills can be due anytime before Dec. 20.
Information presented by Sutton, at the request of Tax Commissioner June Black, noted that Stephens County and White County have earlier due dates.
Sutton said Black and other county officials deal with “consternation” when tax bills are due just days before Christmas, so after talking with her, the county clerk and county attorney, he was comfortable making the recommendation for the Nov. 15 due date, effective this year.
“It will be well publicized that we’re going to be changing the tax due date for property taxes from Dec. 20 to Nov. 15,” Commission Chairman Victor Anderson said. “This is being done by several communities and counties around us, so it’s not unprecedented, but I feel like it’s going to be very important to let people know that so we need to make sure that word gets out.”
Anderson said he also is requesting that the change is highlighted on the tax bills when they are mailed this year.
