Friday is the due date for paying real property taxes in Oak Ridge without penalty. All of this year’s property tax bills have been mailed and should have been delivered to property owners, a press release said.
Taxes go to support the operation of many city services—from street maintenance to the library. The police and fire departments, refuse removal and disposal, recreation and parks and many other city activities are all supported by the property tax, the press release said. A portion of the tax also goes to support the Oak Ridge school system.
The city staff said a relatively small number of property owners may not receive a tax notice. There are several reasons that this might happen. For example, by law, property tax bills are mailed to the owner of record as of January 1; if the property has changed hands since then, the new owner may not receive the notice. In other cases, mailing addresses change and, of course, other delivery problems also occur.
Regardless of the ability of the Utility Business Office to deliver the notice, it is still the responsibility of the property owner to make the payment in a timely manner, the press release said. If someone has not received a tax bill by now, they should contact the City’s Utility Business Office immediately.
The last day to make full tax payments in person without penalty is October 30. Penalties start to accrue on November 1.
Further information is available through the City’s website at www.oakridgetn.gov. The tax specialist at the City can be reached at (865) 425-3404.
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