County seeks to help delinquent property tax owners

Special to the PRESS

In light of the economic hardships faced by many, Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre, Jr. wants to inform taxpayers who have not paid their 2014 taxes, that there are alternative payment plans available for paying their property taxes.  A total of  29,881 delinquent tax notices for tax year 2014 have been mailed out for real estate accounts which have not been paid. “I urge any property owner who cannot pay their taxes in full, to visit any of our tax offices and take advantage of payment plan options available to taxpayers like a tax payment agreement” Yzaguirre said.  A tax payment agreement is an installment plan for the payment of taxes, penalties, and interest. On July 1, 2015, all delinquent real estate tax accounts, by law, will be turned over to the delinquent tax law firm. At that point a

12.5%, 15%, or 20% attorney fees (depending upon the policy adopted by each tax jurisdiction) will be automatically assessed or added to the balance of taxes due unless the taxpayer enters into a tax payment agreement.

Taxes for 2014 became delinquent on February 1, 2015, but if a taxpayer signs a Tax Payment Agreement

“Approximately 93% of property taxes that the Cameron County collects for have already been paid,” said Yzaguirre.  The Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office is responsible for collecting a total tax levy of$277,345,528.91 million dollars from October 2014 thru September 2015 for a total of thirty-eight tax districts within Cameron County.  The office has already collected a total of$257,375,370.99 which is approximately 93% oftotal2014 tax levy. Outstanding collections are $19,970,157.92, which includes all taxing jurisdictions.   The tax levy for Cameron County is $66,138,186.75,  of which $61,741,987.57 orwith the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office before June 30 of this year, for real estate tax accounts only no attorney fees for taxes due for 2014 will be added on July 151 to those taxpayers that continue to make their payments timely. “The installment plan provides taxpayers a little reliefby allowing them several additional months to pay their taxes in installments without threat of a lawsuit” said Yzaguirre.    A delinquent tax penalty, adopted under Section 33.07 of the Property Tax Code, does not apply to delinquent taxes subjectto installment agreements entered into under Section 33.02 of the Texas Property Tax Code prior to July 151 of the year in which the taxes  became  delinquent.    Property owners, wlzo Jzave not received tlzeir tax statement(s), slzould contact one o(tlze Tax Assessor-Collector’s Offices immediately.

93.35% has been collected by the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office to date.

Tax Year 2014 personal property taxes not paid prior to April3, 2015 have already been turned over to the delinquent tax law firm, and delinquent attorney fees added, pursuant to Section 33.11 of the Texas Property Tax Code.

Methods of Payment

• Payments over the Intemet- allows taxpayers to pay their taxes by electronic check or credit card 24/7 in the convenience of their home or office over the internet by going to www.cameroncountytax.org.
• Partial payments – allows taxpayers come into the office and pay their taxes in several payments.
• Quarterly payments – allows taxpayers who are over 65 years of age or disabled, to pay their taxes in quarterly payments without penalty and accruing interest.
• Tax payment agreement- where a taxpayer comes into our office and signs a payment agreement to pay

their taxes.

• Mail-Ill payments- when a taxpayer mails the total amount of their property taxes.
• Over tlte counter payments- when a taxpayer pays their taxes over the counter using their check, cash or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express).

“Disabled  or Senior Citizens Over Age 65 may make quarterly payments of their property taxes if they qualify for an exemption under Section 11.13(c), “Yzaguirre said.  Those who make quarterly payments on time will not be assessed penalties for late payments.

The Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office collects taxes for Cameron County, South Texas Independent School District, Brownsville Independent School District, Brownsville Navigation District, Port ofHarlingen, Texas Southmost College, Cameron County Emergency District, Drainage District #1, Drainage District #3, Drainage District #4, Drainage District #5, City of Brownsville, City of Combes, City oflndian Lake, Town of Palm Valley, City of  Primera, Town ofRancho Viejo, City of Los Fresnos, City of San Benito, Valley Municipal Utility District #2, Paseo De La Resaca Municipal Utility District 1,2,3, Santa Maria Independent School District, City of Rio Hondo, Paseo De La Resaca Landscaping and Maintenance District, Town of Bayview, Santa Rosa Independent School District, La Feria Independent School District, City of La Feria, Street Light Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and now Point Isabel Independent School District, City of Port Isabel, City of South Padre Island, Town of Laguna Vista, Laguna Madre Water District, and now City of Los Indios.

“It is very important to pay all property taxes this year, because our office will continue with our aggressive collection programs this year,” Yzaguirre said.

The Cameron County Tax Office has nine locations countywide:

• Cameron County Courthouse, 964 East Harrison, Brownsville, (956) 544-0800
• Brownsville Southmost Branch Office, 2900 Southmost Road, Brownsville, (956) 574-8176 (Brownsville PO Southmost Community Network Center)
• Brownsville West Side Branch Office, 1763 Military Highway, Brownsville, (956) 542-5854

(Brownsville PO West Side Community Network Center)

• Harlingen Branch Office, 3302 Wilson Rd, (956) 427-8013
• San Benito Branch Office (Old Levis Building),1390 W. Expressway 83, San Benito, (956) 361-8232
• Los Fresnos Branch Office, 745 W. Ocean Boulevard, Los Fresnos, (956) 233-4494
• Port Isabel Branch Office, 505 Highway 100, Port Isabel, (956) 943-8101
• La Feria Branch Office, 200 Industrial Way, La Feria, (956) 797-3075
• Rio Hondo Branch Office 125 W. Colorado, Rio Hondo, (956) 748-2345

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