Frequently Asked Questions

 

How are my taxes calculated?

Taxes are calculated by mutiplying the "Taxable Value" (determined by the Assessor's Office) times the "Millage Rate" (excludes improvement levies, timber levies, or Assessor penalties).

 

What is a mill?

A mill is one-tenth (1/10) of one cent.

 

What is the difference between "taxable value", "assessed value" and "market value"?

Taxable value is the value used to determine the amount you owe. Taxable value times the total millage for your area equals the amount you will owe. The taxable value may reflect a "freeze" or other condition mandated by state law and may be lower than your real assessed value.

 

Assessed value is 20% of the market value of your property as established by the Assessor's Office / State.

 

Market Value is the retail value of your property

 

Who is eligible for the tax "freeze" on real estate?

You may be eligible if you are 65+ years old or if you are disabled. Check with the Assessor's Office/Real Estate Division (501) 279-6208.

 

What is a Homestead Credit?

A homestead credit is a tax credit (up to $375) for any person that owns or is paying for their home. Check with the Assessor's Office to see if you meet the requirements for this credit.

 

When are tax statements mailed out?

All tax statements are mailed in the spring. If you have not received a tax notice by the 4th of July, contact the office. Just because you do not receive a tax statement, do not assume you do not owe taxes. Mortgage companies request their statements first. If you receive a tax notice for your home and you have an escrow account, it means your mortgage company did not request your statement. You will need to forward your tax bill to your mortgage company with your loan number. If you have an escrow account, please check each year with the office to make sure your mortgage did pay your taxes and that they were paid on the correct parcel.

 

Who do I make my check payable to?

Make your check payable to the White County Tax Collector's Office.

 

Will you mail me a paid receipt?

A paid tax receipt will be mailed to you if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your payment. Otherwise, you will need to come to the office to get a copy of your receipt.
 

What am I paying personal taxes on?

Your current personal property taxes will be for the cars, trucks, boats, trailers, etc you assessed the previous year. When you make an assessment in the Assessor's Office, it creates a tax liability for you the following year. The collector gets the total personal assessed value. We cannot tell what you did or did not assess. Contact the Assessor's Office for the list of your personal property.

 

Why are my taxes higher this year than last year?

You have to keep in mind that you are paying current taxes on what you owned last year. In your personal property, you may have traded vehicles or assessed additional vehicles or property that you did not assess before. If your real estate taxes went up, did you build a home on your property? Add a mobile home? Add a shop? Check with the Assessor's Office / Real Estate Division for your answers. As with personal property, the collector's office gets the value to charge to you. We do not know what is shown on your property.

 

Why do I have a Late Assessment penalty on my personal property tax bill?

State law requires the Assessor's Office to add a 10% late assessment fee for anyone who assesses after the Assessment deadline of May 31st.

 

Why do I have to pay school taxes?

I don't have any children in school. Our public school system is supported through taxes. This is regardless of whether you have children in school or not. The school millage is voted on each year in September. The majority of your tax payment will go to the school district in which you and your property are located.

 

Can I make partial payments on my taxes?

Yes, you can make partial payments on your current taxes in the office. This service is not available online. You cannot make partial payments on your delinquent taxes. If you have more than one parcel, you can pay taxes on one parcel at a time, regardless if it is delinquent or current. If you are delinquent for more than one year, all delinquent years must be paid at the same time.

 

I got my statement, but have misplaced it. Can I get another? Is there a charge?

You can get a computer generated copy of any statement or receipt at any time. In addition, receipts can be emailed. Let us know what you need and we will get it to you the fastest way possible. There is no charge for this service.

 

Do I have to pay my current taxes before I get or renew my car license?

No. To get car tags, you cannot have delinquent taxes. This is why we check your taxes from two years ago - your current taxes are from one year ago and you have until October 15th to pay those.

 

What are the penalties if I cannot pay my taxes by the deadline?

Immediately after the deadline, a 10% late payment penalty is added to all taxes that have not been paid. After the list of taxes that are not paid has been published in the newspaper (as required by law), a 10% per annum interest fee, a $2.50 redemption fee and a $1.50 advertising fee will be added to each delinquent real estate parcel. An advertising fee of $1.75 will be added to each personal property parcel. Please note: ONLY cash, money order or credit card will be accepted for delinquent personal property taxes. Checks will be accepted for payment of all other delinquent taxes. Please call the office for the amount due before you mail in any payments. All payments short of the amount due will be returned to the writer for the total amount due. We will not apply your payment and bill you for the remaining amount due.

 

If I don't pay my real estate taxes, can I lose my property?

Yes. If your real estate taxes are delinquent for two years, your property will be deeded to the State Land Commissioner's Office (501) 324-9222. If you do not pay the taxes due for an additional two years after that, the Commissioner will come into the county and sell your property for market value (not taxes due) at public auction.

 

Can anyone buy property at this public auction?

Yes. Go to the Land Commissioner's website (cosl.org) for more information.

 

Am I eligible for a veteran tax discount?

Contact our specialist (501) 279-6210 or Veteran Services.