Pandemic limits in-person Hamilton County, Chattanooga property tax payment options

Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / People wait outside of the Trustee's office at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / People wait outside of the Trustee's office at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The in-person taxpayers who tend to show up at the courthouse in late February may be stuck in a very long line this year if they don't make other plans, said Hamilton County Trustee Bill Hullander.

"People that wait until the last week or the last day to come, they may have to wait hours," Hullander said. "I want taxpayers to know that - we don't want people to get upset."

Hamilton County and Chattanooga property taxes are due by the end of February, but the Chattanooga treasurer's office is closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the county trustee's office has very limited public access.

On the second floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse, where Hullander's office is located, visitors must wear masks, stand in line 6 feet apart in the hallway, and wait to be buzzed in one at a time.

photo Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / An intercom system is seen outside of the Trustee's office at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Taxpayers have already sent in nearly $200 million of the $308 million the county collects each year, but he always knows to expect the last-minute, in-person payers, Hullander said.

"A lot of people over the years, I can expect them once a year, especially on the last day they're out there paying," he said.

Property taxes are due and payable in Hamilton County and Chattanooga between Oct. 1 and the last day of February. For both city and county taxes, interest of 1.5% a month begins accruing March 1, or 18% annually.

For Chattanooga taxpayers, the city has installed a dropbox for payments in front of City Hall. So far, the city has collected about $72.5 million of the $140 million it has billed for 2020 property taxes.

"Treasury Staff checks this box regularly throughout the day and posts the payments," said Richel Albright, a spokesperson for the city.

Hamilton County property owners can also pay their taxes in person at First Horizon bank branches, whether or not they are customers of the bank. But the branches have capacity limits, as well as mask and social distancing requirements, said Jay Dale, Chattanooga market president for First Horizon.

"We do ask non-customers to go through the drive-thru," he said. "We're actually encouraging drive-thru for everyone for COVID distancing."

First Horizon usually sees about 12,000 to 15,000 in-person payments each year, and the number of people coming in to pay their property taxes is up slightly from last year, he added.

"I would encourage everybody to please pay sooner than later so we don't have that mad rush at the end of the month," Dale said.

Contact Mary Fortune at mfortune@timesfreepress.com. Follow her on Twitter at @maryfortune.

How to pay property taxes due by the end of February

Hamilton County:Pay online at hamiltontn.gov/TrusteeMail your tax payment, postmarked by the last day of February, to the Hamilton County Trustee, 625 Georgia Avenue, Room 210 Chattanooga, TN 37402.Mask up, prepare to be patient, and visit the Hamilton County Trustee’s office at the address above. Only one person at a time is allowed inside the office, masks are required, and your temperature will be taken before you can enter the county courthouse building.There is also a satellite office at 6125 Preservation Drive, Suite 101, in the Bonny Oaks Industrial Park.Office hours are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, but both offices will also be open on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to accept property tax payments.For questions, contact the office at (423) 209-7270 or email trustee@hamiltontn.govChattanooga:Pay online at chattanooga.gov/finance/treasury-division/property-tax/City offices are closed, and cannot be visited in person. The city has installed a dropbox for property tax payments in front of City Hall at 101 E. 11th St.Mail your tax bill, postmarked by the last day of February, to the City Treasurer, P.O. Box 191, Chattanooga, TN 37401For questions, contact the office at (423) 643-7262 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or email ptax@chattanooga.govFirst Horizon bank:Hamilton County property owners can bring their original tax bill to any First Horizon bank branch in Hamilton County to pay in person.First Horizon does not accept late or partial property tax payments.Bank lobbies are open, but masks and social distancing are required, and capacity limits are in place.

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