Property tax due

TYLER — Smith County property taxes were due Saturday, January 31. Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is warning taxpayers that changes at the post office mean you should drop your payment in the mail as soon as possible. Officials say the easiest and fastest way to pay your property tax bill is online. Payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement — which will take you directly to the payment page on your account.

“If you want to skip the long lines at the Tax Office, I highly recommend you pay online,” he said.

Taxpayers can also make their payments in person, through the Tax Office’s drop box outside of the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail. The U.S. Postal Service recently changed how postmark dates are determined.

In the past, the postmark reflected the date you dropped your mail in a mailbox or at the post office. Now, the postmark will show the date your envelope is first processed by an automated postal service sorting machine. This could be later than the day you mailed it, which could mean that your tax payment is past the deadline, Barber said.

To avoid a late postmark, go to the post office and request a hand-stamped postmark showing the actual mailing date. You can also buy the postage at the counter since the printed label includes the correct acceptance date or use certified or registered mail because they include a dated receipt.

If you plan to drop the payment in your mailbox, Barber recommends doing it a few days before the deadline to make sure it is postmarked in time.

The Smith County Tax Office mailed out 186,349 property tax statements in November.

Click here to pay with debit or credit card or e-check.

Barber asked that when dropping off property tax payments in the drop box, you should write your phone number on the envelope so the Tax Office can call if any issues come up or questions need answered. He also said they will not accept cash left in the drop box. There is a sign pointing to the drop box, which is on the Glenwood Boulevard side of the Cotton Belt Building, located at 1517 W. Front St. in Tyler.

When you pay online with an e-check (bank account and routing numbers are needed), it is free. You can skip the line at the Tax Office and do not have to pay postage or credit card fees. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to make sure all accounts are included, and banking information is correct to avoid additional fees.

The Tax Office in the Cotton Belt Building is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Property tax payments can also be made in person at the Tax Office Substations, at 2616 S. Main St. in Lindale; and in Noonday, at 15405 Highway 155 South.

For more information, call 903-590-2920 or click here.