Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM December 2019 | Page 36

TAXING MATTERS CHERYL E. JOHNSON, PCC Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector [email protected] Just a BIT TOO MUCH LOVE in Those Letters? O ver 210,000 GCTO love letters began to arrive in mailboxes in October. It seems since the September 19th collapse of the Aldine Bender USPS Distribution Center roof, the only mail guaranteed to arrive timely is advertising! Everything else is at a snail’s pace which, frankly is not the worst thing in the world when it comes to those annual tax bills! Over 70% of Galveston County property owners wait until January to pay their taxes so, unless you are one of those taking advantage of split/half payment (with December 2, 2019 and June 30, 2020 postmark deadlines) or are seeking a 2019 tax write- off, the arrival of the tax statements was a great opportunity to wait until the last minute (January 31, 2020). For those without a mortgage company, there are easy payment options: As stated, split/ half pay is an option available to everyone in Galveston County except those with property in Dickinson and Dickinson ISD. These folks will be able to pay half of the rest by December 2nd with the amounts for Dickinson and DISD due by January 31, 2020 (see the amounts due in 2.a. and 2.b. on the bill). Everyone else, see 2.a. Quarter pay (one-fourth every other month) is available to everyone again this year (typically homesteads of those over 65, disabled persons and vets and surviving spouses of disabled vets) as disaster installments are again available. Divide the 2019 taxes by four and postmark payments no later than January 31, March 31, June 1 and July 31, 2020. 34 MOMENTUM Pay in full (Option 1) no later than January 31, 2020. How to pay? USPS (be sure to deposit before the 31st to insure timely postmark) to PO Box 1169, Galveston, Texas 77553. We do NOT receive mail at branches! Any time, place payments in an envelope, note date and location and drop in any yellow GCTO box outside all offices (Friendswood City Hall has a black drop box along the driveway at the side of the building). All payments are picked up by 8:30 am and stamped as received the previous business day. Online at www.galcotax.com (click on the large red button) via electronic check ($1) or credit card (2.5% bank convenience fee). Pay with credit card via telephone. For English call 1-866- 865-1433 and Spanish call 1-866- 865-1435. In person at any GCTO office. There are typically lines in all offices the first and last week of every month with folks renewing vehicle registrations. December and January are peak months for renewals but don’t worry – GCTO leadership will be assisting the last week of December and January. We are the folks with the candy and will write receipts for later processing. Please include the coupon or write account numbers on checks. Make sure that you do not have any late taxes due (Option 1 boxes will include any prior year taxes). Have a problem? Call toll free 877-766-2284 or the Property Tax Department directly at 409-766-2481.