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Delinquent Taxes • Taxes become delinquent the first day following the due date. Late Payment of Tax: • Interest: Day after Due = 1% of Tax per month Taxes owed state or local taxing jurisdiction shall bear interest at the rate of 1% per month from due date until tax is paid. Any period of less than one month is considered to be one month. Minimum interest paid on unpaid taxes is (O.C.G.A 48-5-148) • Penalties: Penalties imposed by law are part of the tax and are to be collected as such. O.C.G.A. 48-2-42 90 Days late = 10% on tax due (O.C.G.A. 48-2-44) The penalty shall not apply to the following: 1. Ad Valorem taxes of $500 or less on homestead property. 2. Homestead property acquired during the tax year by a new owner who did not receive a bill and who before acquiring such property resided outside the State of Georgia and if taxes are paid within one year following the due date. Recording of Tax Lien: • A tax lien attaches to the property at its valuation. A tax lien against real property is superior to all other liens. The lien is released by paying the tax charged against it. The cost for the filing of the lien is added to the tax bill. The cost range from $28.50 to $33.50. 1. A 30 day notice of a tax lien being filed is mailed to all delinquent property owners the week following the tax due date. 2. A tax lien is filed with the Clerk of Superior Court within one week following the due date of the 30 day notice. 3. Once the tax lien is filed, tax sale proceedings may begin. (See Tax Sale General Information)