Property tax discounts widely successful

A program implemented last year to allow local taxpayers to receive a discount on property taxes if they pay them early has been quite successful, according to Trustee Darlene Bryant.

Bryant presented the idea to the Warren County Commission last July under a new state law that authorized Tennessee county governments to do so at their discretion. Bryant said she learned of the program while attending classes to learn about her office. Commissioners embraced the concept unanimously, and a considerable number of taxpayers embraced the idea as well, according to Bryant.

The program works like this: County property taxes aren’t due until February, but under the new legislation Warren County taxpayers who opt to pay their taxes in October receive a 2 percent discount, and those who pay in November receive a 1 percent discount.

Bryant said at the time the program should benefit both taxpayers, since they get a discount by paying early, and the county, which she felt would receive a portion of property tax earlier than usual, which should help prevent county government from running short of funds prior to tax collections in February.

Bryant said the program has met expectations and then some.

‘In October of 2006, we collected $943,660 in taxes,’ Bryant said. ‘That was 8 percent of the total. Then in October of 2007 with the discount we collected $3,842,277, which is 32 percent. It was right at $3 million extra we collected in October.’

November figures, with the 1 percent discount, weren’t quite as impressive, but still significant.

‘It was a little better,’ Bryant said. ‘It was $421,498 in ’06, and $653,294 in ’07. That’s 4 percent.’

Bryant says she is pleased the program, which was her brainchild, was so successful.

‘It was great,’ Bryant said. ‘I’ve had a lot of comments from the public that they appreciated the discount. I just think it worked really well. I feel like it’s a win-win for both parties, for everybody concerned.’

Bryant also pointed out the county is near 99 percent in tax collections, but for those who are having trouble, there are options.

‘One thing they can do, and I don’t know if a lot of people know about this, but you can make payments,’ Bryant said. ‘You can make payments until they are turned over to collection by the Clerk and Master. If anybody wants to make payments, if they’re having a hard time, just give us a call and we’ll set up a payment schedule and they can make payments until they’re paid off.’

Bryant says taxpayers do get some leeway before the back taxes are turned over for collection.

‘We just turned over the ’06 real property this March,’ Bryant said. ‘So it’s basically two years behind. Next March we’ll turn over the ’07.’