Last week St. Tammany property owners began receiving their tax bills for 2017; over 137,000 tax bills were mailed. Tax bills are due on Dec. 31st, and any that are late are subject to not only late fees but also interest accruing.
The bills went out a couple weeks earlier than they usually do. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office mailed them on Nov. 3rd to give property owners ample time to make arrangements for their annual payment.
The total amount in tax bills mailed out to St. Tammany property owners adds up to approximately $297 million, and can easily be paid online at www.stpsopayments.com, which accepts both bank drafts and credit card payments. Property owners can also mail their payments in to the Sheriff’s Office or deliver it at both the Brownswitch location in Slidell or the Covington courthouse.
Many home owners have their tax payments escrowed through their mortgage company, and may wonder why they’re getting the bill when it is the mortgage company that disperses the payment. It is proper protocol to mail the bill to the ultimate responsible party, the home owner. It is the home owner’s responsibility to contact the mortgage company and relay the bill to them, and ensure that they are aware of it. It is also wise to contact that Sheriff’s Office to ensure payment has been received once the mortgage company gives confirmation they’ve paid it on their end.
For more information on real estate taxes and how it works for Slidell, Pearl River, Lacombe, Mandeville, Covington, Abita Springs and Madisonville, give Turner Real Estate Group a call at 985-626-1313 and visit www.CallWayneTurner.com.