Georgetown, Del., Sept. 16, 2014: Sussex County reminds property owners that Tuesday, Sept. 30, is the deadline to pay annual County property tax bills.
Payments can be made in person, online, by phone, or by mail. Any payments mailed must be postmarked no later than Sept. 30. Payments made Oct. 1 or later will be subject to penalty.
In August, the County’s Billing office issued tax bills for the 2015 fiscal year, totaling an estimated $117 million in revenue. The bills include County property taxes, as well as fees for County sewer and water, tax ditches and street lighting, where applicable. Additionally, tax bills include local school district taxes, which are collected by the County, but forwarded to the State. Delaware law requires Sussex County to bill property owners for school taxes on behalf of the eight public school districts within the county.
This year’s tax bills once again feature an easier-to-read format, unveiled in 2013, to help taxpayers better understand their bills and payment options. Meantime, a number of payment options are available for the public’s convenience. A tutorial explaining how to view account information and make payments is available on the County’s website, at sussexcountyde.gov/property-tax-portal-tutorial.
Sussex County accepts tax payments by cash, check, money order, and debit or credit cards. Taxpayers have different options to make their payments. These include:
THROUGH LENDER
Many taxpayers have their annual taxes paid out of escrow accounts by their mortgage lenders. If these taxpayers have any questions regarding the status of their escrow accounts, they should contact their lenders.
ONLINE
Payment can be made on the Internet, with the use of most major credit cards or by check. Please visit sussexcountyde.gov and select “Online Payment” at the top right of the page.
BY MAIL
Property owners can mail their tax payments using the return envelopes included in their statements. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Sussex County Government” and addressed to the Sussex County Treasury Division, PO Box 429, Georgetown, DE 19947. All payments sent by mail must be postmarked by Sept. 30 to be considered received on time. Unpaid balances are subject to monthly interest charges.
IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE
The County’s payment center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Extended hours will be available, from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Sept. 29 and Sept. 30. The office is located on the first floor of the County Administrative Offices building, 2 The Circle, in Georgetown. A convenient and secure after-hours payment drop box also is available, located in the lobby. For those making payment by telephone, call 1-866-791-9802. Callers must have their statement available when making a telephone payment.
For more information or general questions, please call (302) 855-7871.
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