River Oaks Examiner - News
Harris County tax bills now online
Harris County has posted more than 1.3 million property tax statements online, which for the first time include West University Place businesses and homes. Tax bills are now in the mail.
“Total 2008 tax bills for all property categories are up 12.2 percent from 2007, due to strong appraised value increases in commercial property,” Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt said.
Homeowners’ statements increased 5.93 percent, the county reported. Last year, residential tax bills totaled $1,546,766,136.10, compared to this year’s number of $1,638,494,573.10.
Bettencourt suggested taxpayers to “get online instead of in line” to make payment at www.hctax.net. The tax office accepts partial payments, which may be made in any combination of credit cards or e-checks online. Touch-tone telephone payments with a credit card may be made by calling 713-368-CARD.
A nonrefundable surcharge of 2.15 percent will be added to each credit card transaction processed online.
For the use of Visa debit cards, a flat fee of $3.95 is charged. E-checks are free of charge.
Bettencourt said Hurricane Ike victims are eligible to pay their 2008 property tax bill in four installments by applying online and submitting a first payment.
Beginning in 2008, the county took over collection duties from the cities of West University Place, Tomball, Humble. Additionally, Harris County will collect for its portion of New Caney Independent School District.
“Total 2008 tax bills for all property categories are up 12.2 percent from 2007, due to strong appraised value increases in commercial property,” Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt said.
Homeowners’ statements increased 5.93 percent, the county reported. Last year, residential tax bills totaled $1,546,766,136.10, compared to this year’s number of $1,638,494,573.10.
Bettencourt suggested taxpayers to “get online instead of in line” to make payment at www.hctax.net. The tax office accepts partial payments, which may be made in any combination of credit cards or e-checks online. Touch-tone telephone payments with a credit card may be made by calling 713-368-CARD.
A nonrefundable surcharge of 2.15 percent will be added to each credit card transaction processed online.
For the use of Visa debit cards, a flat fee of $3.95 is charged. E-checks are free of charge.
Bettencourt said Hurricane Ike victims are eligible to pay their 2008 property tax bill in four installments by applying online and submitting a first payment.
Beginning in 2008, the county took over collection duties from the cities of West University Place, Tomball, Humble. Additionally, Harris County will collect for its portion of New Caney Independent School District.
Copyright © 2009 - Houston Community Newspapers Online