County taxes are due Monday

Columbia County property taxes are due Monday.

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Those who do not pay by that date will be charged increasing penalties until the taxes are collected, county Tax Commissioner Kay Allen warns.

"If (property owners) haven't paid it by (Monday), then on (Tuesday) 1 percent interest will accrue," Allen said.

"That will go along at 1 percent every month for as long as it's delinquent.

"If it's still delinquent after 90 days, there is a 10 percent penalty that kicks in.

"That's kind of big. If you can't pay it now, don't let that 90 days catch you."

Continued failure to pay taxes could result in a lien being put on the property and its eventual sale, though Allen said that is rare.

"We haven't had to go to a tax sale in over two years," she said. "We might start out with maybe 100 liens, but we usually end up with zero going to sale."

As of Nov. 7, Allen's office had collected from more than 68 percent of the county's property owners.

Typically, Allen said, only about 10 percent of property owners do not pay on time.

To pay in person, visit tax offices on the second floor of Building C in the Evans Government Center on Ronald Reagan Drive or in Appling across Ray Owens Road from the courthouse.

Payments also can be made online at www. columbiacountyga.gov/taxcommissioner, or by calling (866) 381-4893.

A drop box for payments is located in the parking lot to the left of Building A in the government center.

As long as payments are in the drop box when it is emptied Tuesday morning, Allen said, they will be considered on time.