Deadlines & County Tax Office News Cheryl E. Johnson

The last day for disaster, senior, disabled person and disabled veteran third quarter installment for 2018 property taxes is May 31st.  The second half of the split or half payment installment is due July 1st.  Split payment coupons were mailed May 15th so be on the lookout.  

Those having difficulty paying 2018 property taxes or who have missed an installment payment will receive a delinquent notice before the end of the month.  Tax Assessor/Collector Cheryl E. Johnson urges property owners to pay the delinquent taxes by July 1st in order to avoid delinquent attorney fee that will be added July 2nd.  

Unpaid taxes accrue interest at a rate of 1% per month beginning in February.  Penalties are assessed at 6% the first month and increase 1% each month until July at which time they jump to 12% of the unpaid balance.  “What this means is that penalties and interest total 18% July 2nd. Add to that the 15% to 20% delinquent attorney fee and a property owner will owe the base tax plus a total of from 33% to 38% in penalties, interest and attorney fees,” stated Johnson.

Those unable to pay their entire tax bill should contact the Property Tax Department (409-766-2481) or toll free (877-766-2284) or come to the Galveston Office at 722 Moody between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday in order to make arrangements to pay.   “Please avoid the unnecessary additional cost of the 15% to 20% attorney fee,” urged Johnson. “We want to work with our property owners and get these taxes taken care of as soon as possible in order to reduce the burden of unnecessary additional costs.”

Cash, checks, credit and debit cards are accepted at any of the four full time Tax Office locations in Galveston, League City, Santa Fe, or Texas City or at the Friendswood satellite office each Thursday and Friday or Crystal Beach the 3rd Tuesday of each month.  For directions or locations, please call (toll free) 1-877-766-2284.  Specific questions regarding your property taxes may be directed to a Property Tax Specialist by calling 409-766-2481.
 
Customers may also go online and pay via credit card or electronic check at www.galcotax.com and click on the large red button to locate their account.  Credit card payments incur an additional convenience fee of 2.5%.  Payments may be mailed or left in GCTO drop boxes, paid online (www.galcotax.com) via electronic check ($1 bank fee) or credit card (2.5% merchant fee) or credit card via telephone (toll free) at 1-866-865-1433 (English) or 1-866-865-1435 (Spanish).   

​

---