Garland County Tax Collector Rebecca Dodd Talbert notes that Oct. 15 is the deadline, not the due date, to pay 2023 property taxes.
Tax bills mailed in February were due March 1. The more than seven-month grace period ends two weeks from today. A 10% penalty will be assessed on late payments. Dodd Talbert said her office will be open until 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15.
It had collected $63 million of the $118 million the Garland County Quorum Court levied on behalf of the county general fund, the Garland County Library, National Park College, the cities of Lonsdale and Mountain Pine and 11 school districts. About 90% of the proceeds support local schools.
About $45 million remained outstanding Friday after allowing for close to $12 million in debits and credits such as the homestead credit for principal places of residence. The Legislature increased the credit from $425 to $500 in June after the state revenue agency determined the Property Tax Relief Trust Fund could support an increase.
A 0.50% state sales tax enacted in 2001 supports the trust fund. The credit has increased by a third since 2021.
Dodd Talbert said Friday the rate of collections was slightly behind last year's pace, falling short by less than 1%. She attributed the lag to property owners with large tax bills waiting longer than usual to pay. With favorable interest rates for savers, she said, they're keeping their money in interest-bearing accounts for as long as possible.
Real and personal property taxes can be paid in person at the tax collector's office, Room 110 at the Government Office Building, 200 Woodbine St. Payments can also be left at the drop box in the alley next to the building. Dodd Talbert said the box is checked multiple times a day.
Payments sent by mail should be addressed to the Garland County Tax Collector, 200 Woodbine St., Room 108, Hot Springs, AR, 71901. Checks should be made payable to Rebecca Dodd Talbert, tax collector. A self-addressed stamped envelope is required to receive a receipt.
Payments postmarked after Oct. 15 will be delinquent. Checks won't be accepted for delinquent payments.
Online payments can be taken at:
https://fpwt.short.gy/UVW7rZ
Paying by credit card is prohibited from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1.
The quorum court will levy 2024 property taxes in November. A majority of the court pledged to add 1 mill to the 1.2 mills the county levies for its general fund. The 1 mill, or one-tenth of 1%, is projected to raise about $2.5 million a year for the public safety initiative that added eight sheriff's deputies, four 911 dispatchers and two felony case coordinators to the county payroll.