Property tax help still available

Whitman County Treasurer Chris Nelson notified the county commissioners that she has received three applications from those who need an extended amount of time to turn in their property taxes.

“When applications are turned in it's reviewed by me, I see what business it may be and how much money would be owed, then I see from there what I can do,” Nelson said. “I'm handling each on a case by case basis.”

First half of property taxes for the county are due by April 30. There will be no deadline extension for the county, only those who submit an application to the county treasurer will be considered for an extension.

Nelson encourages all those who made need additional assistance to apply as soon as possible.

Those interested in applying for an extension can find the application on the county website at whitmancounty.org or can email Nelson at 2020TaxRelief@whitmancounty.net for the application form or for more information.

Not all assistance or extensions will be the same for everyone, Nelson said in Monday's commissioner workshop meeting. According to the Tax Relief Payment Plan Application, there are two options being offered to those applying for assistance.

Option A on the application is a 75/25 option with no interest or penalties. This would require 75 percent of the first-half property tax payment be made no later than April 30 and 25 percent of the remaining first-half payment be made no later than May 29.

For option A no interest will accrue on the first-half payment amount due if all deadlines are met, payments clear the bank and payments made by credit/debit/echeck process successfully.

Option B on the application is a 50/50 option where interest accrues, but no penalties. This would require 50 percent of the first-half payment be made before April 30 and the remaining 50 percent first-half tax plus accrued interest payment will be made no later than June 15, 2020. Interest will accrue on the remaining 50 percent of the first-half property taxes at one percent per month.

No penalties will be applied to option B if the full first-half payment is made in full by June 15 deadline, payments clear the bank and payments made by credit/debit/echeck process successfully.

Terms and conditions for these options include that all payments must be postmarked or made in person on or before the dates established within the agreement, payments must be made by check, money order, postal money order or cash, credit/debit/echecks must be done in the office, this form of payment will not be accepted via the internet for payments in the agreement, the agreement may be paid off earlier than established, etc.

For fastest response on the tax relief application, email the application and documents to 2020TaxRelief@whitmancounty.net.