Property taxes should be paid by end of month to avoid fees

Island County property owners need to pay their 2011 property taxes by the end of the month to avoid interest and penalties.

Island County property owners need to pay their 2011 property taxes by the end of the month to avoid interest and penalties.

The Island County Treasurer’s Office is reminding property owners about the upcoming deadline. Under state law, those who have not paid their property taxes will be assessed an additional 1 percent in interest and an 8 percent penalty on any unpaid 2011 property tax balance as of Dec. 1, 2011.

To avoid the additional fees, the payment must be paid or postmarked by Nov. 30, 2011. Payment can be made online at www.islandcounty.nettreasurer, in person or through the mail. Anyone with questions should call 679-7302.

Island County Treasurer’s office was able to complete the processing of property tax payment in early November.

“The use of an electronic remittance processor coupled with the new property tax program, a determined staff, and the assistance of volunteers provided new efficiencies that enabled the office to finish processing the property tax payments in record time,” Treasurer Ana Maria Nuñez wrote in a press release.