Monday, September 20, 2010

Extension for County Real Estate Tax Deadline

Allegheny County property owners who are late paying their real estate taxes have been given a bit of a reprieve. Due to the downturn in the economy, County Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty, Treasurer John Weinstein and Sheriff William Mullen announced today they will delay taking legal action against the property owners until September 30. Controller Flaherty says usually liens are filed in August against the properties of owners late in paying their taxes. He says the number of people neglecting the tax for their first time has increased from 3,000 to 5,000 in recent years.
Flaherty says they've delayed filing liens in previous years, and that's proven to be helpful. “It seems that if we give them one last final chance, there is an increase in the payment rate overall.” He says for those who still cannot pay the tax in full, they can get sign up for a payment plan that is approved by the treasurer’s office. If the tax is not paid by this extended deadline, that person will be put on the Allegheny County Real Estate Tax Lien list. As of 2009, there are 46,000 names on that list. The delay in filing liens will allow the property owners additional time to pay without incurring further penalties and costs.

He suggests that property owners go to or call the treasurer’s office to get the tax debt taken care of before September 29.

No comments: