Hamilton County property owners were lined out the door of the county trustee’s office Friday to pay their tax bills on the last day before penalties set in.
“It’s been a steady stream,” Trustee Carl Levi said of people coming through the downtown and Bonny Oaks Drive trustee’s office locations.
Starting today, property owners who have not paid their tax bills will accrue interest and a penalties every month until the taxes are paid, according to the trustee’s office.
Van Hinton, of Harrison, delivered his payment Friday. He said his wife decided to wait until the last minute to pay.
“I was nervous about it,” he said. “We held that money until what I would call the witching hour.”
Mr. Hinton said many taxpayers likely just hold onto the money until they have to give it up.
But Signal Mountain resident Mike Webb said the timing of his payment was more strategic.
“It just depends on which tax year I want to pay it in,” he said.
He said he tends to hold onto his tax money until the end of December or the February deadline so the funds can gain interest for him rather than the county.
Property tax bills were sent to residents in late September.
Mr. Levi said he does not believe more people will go delinquent on their taxes this year, despite a large number of home foreclosures and a tax increase last year.
“I can’t tell any difference,” he said, comparing the turnout to last year’s.
Mr. Levi said the 26 cent tax increase the County Commission passed last July could have made more residents aware of the need to pay their taxes on time.
