Partial and Advance Payments Make Paying Property Taxes Easier in St. Charles County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2014

Press Contact: Colene McEntee, Public Affairs Coordinator, (636) 949-1864, cmcentee@sccmo.org                                            

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO - With the pace and financial demands of the November and December holiday season, property tax bills often become an afterthought – and a strain on many individuals and families. To help alleviate this stress, the St. Charles County Collector of Revenue is now accepting Partial and Advance Payments on property tax bills.

Michelle McBride, County Collector, requested Bill No. 4047 that provides for the Partial and Advance Payments. The St. Charles County Council passed the bill on Jan. 27.

“Currently, State law neither provides for nor prohibits Partial or Advance Payments. I wanted to formalize the right to these payment options for the taxpayers of St. Charles County. The goal is to make paying taxes easier,” said McBride. “Partial Payments will allow those struggling financially to catch up without incurring too much additional late payment penalty and interest. Advance Payments will allow those who like making monthly installments on large bills to have that option.”

Taxpayers should note the following about Partial and Advance Payments:

Partial Payments

·  Partial Payments are available to help citizens who have fallen behind catch up by helping reduce the total amount of late payment interest and penalty a taxpayer will have to pay. Partial Payments are accepted on both Personal Property and Real Estate tax bills.   

· There is a minimum payment of $20 for each Partial Payment.

· Partial Payments will not prevent property from being offered in the Tax Certificate Sale; however, it can reduce the amount needed to redeem the property should the tax certificate sell.

· The receipt needed for vehicle registration(s) will only be released when a tax bill is finally paid in full.

· For citizens who made Partial Payments, tax bills distributed later in the year will show the amount of tax assessed for the new tax year and the balance remaining to be paid on prior years’ bills. 

· Ways to pay:

o  Check/money order/cashier’s check by mail or in person (payable to Michelle D. McBride, Collector of Revenue). The Collector’s Office is located at the St. Charles County Administration Building, 201 N. Second Street, St. Charles, MO.

o  Credit card or eCheck online at http://mo-stcharles-collector.publicaccessnow.com/ or by calling 1-800-2PAY-TAX (1-800-272-9829), Jurisdiction Code 3513.

o  By cash in person at the Collector’s Office.

For each Partial Payment, a receipt will be issued showing the remaining outstanding balance and presented to the payer (if payment is made in person), sent via email, or mailed.

Advance Payments

· Advance Payments are available for citizens who are currently paid in full for the previous tax year and prior years and want to start making payments on the current year’s bill(s). Advance Payments are accepted on both Personal Property and Real Estate tax bills. 

· There is a minimum payment of $20 for each Advance Payment.

·  To determine Advance Payments and make an individual payment plan, McBride recommends that citizens use the previous year’s tax bill as a “best estimate,” adding in new personal property purchases if applicable.  The Collector’s Office can also provide an estimated tax amount using last year’s tax rates.

·  Citizens who want to make advance payments on Personal Property tax bills must have already submitted the Assessment Form for the current year to the County Assessor.  There are no such prerequisites for those who want to make advance payments on Real Estate tax bills. 

· For citizens who made Advance Payments, tax bills distributed later in the year will show the amount of tax assessed, the credit for any Advance Payments made, and, if applicable, the remaining balance due by Dec. 31 of the tax year. 

· Ways to pay (please note that credit card and eCheck payments are not accepted online):

o   Check/money order/cashier’s check by mail or in person (payable to Michelle D. McBride, Collector of Revenue). The Collector’s Office is located at the St. Charles County Administration Building, 201 N. Second Street, St. Charles, MO.

o   Credit card or eCheck by calling 1-800-2PAY-TAX (1-800-272-9829), Jurisdiction Code 3513.

o   By cash in person at the Collector’s Office.

For each Advance Payment, a receipt will be issued showing the payment made and presented to the payer (if payment is made in person) or mailed.

For more information about the Partial and Advance Payment Programs from the St. Charles County Collector of Revenue Office, please call 636.949.7470 or email collector@sccmo.org.

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