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Tax due dates quickly approaching
Published Saturday, November 7, 2009
No one gets pleasure out of paying taxes. What makes things worse is to stand in line. But there are ways to avoid the lines, or at least make your trip to the tax collector’s office shorter.
One of the most obvious tips is to not procrastinate.
Photo by Stephen Dawkins
Long lines: People wait to renew car tags and do other business at the tax collector’s office on Friday, Oct. 30.
“Everyone’s money is tighter than it’s been in the past, and society today is more likely to put things off until the last minute,” said Chilton County Tax Collector Tim Little.
Little suggests using the Internet for those who need to save time. This can be done by visiting www.chiltoncountyrevenue.com, where you may pay using your credit card.
There is a 2.2-percent convenience fee, which goes to service provider PayPal, for those who take advantage of this option.
“That’s just a convenience for the customer. If you want to pay with a credit card, you’ve got to be willing to pay for it. Or you may go online, get your amounts and mail it in,” Little added.
Property owners have from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31 to pay their taxes. Then, in January, people with last names starting with “A” or “D” must renew their vehicle license and registration.
The Chilton County Motor Vehicles Department, under the umbrella of the tax collector’s office, has stopped mailing out tag reminders due to a cost-cutting measure mandated by the county commission. Chief Clerk Laura Jones said this has increased the office’s workload. Meanwhile, customers see it as an inconvenience. But there are things people can do to make it easier all around.
“People need to be aware of their insurance and look on the front of their tag receipt. It will tell them exactly when their tag expires,” she said.
Jones also suggests writing down one’s tag numbers for each vehicle before visiting the office. This makes it easier for clerks to pull up information.
Another issue — the state no longer handles reinstatements of suspended tags. This task is now the county’s responsibility, and the office has fewer employees due to cuts.
People should be aware that the state randomly mails insurance surveys to 20 percent of drivers.
“If they don’t fill it out, they suspend their tag,” Jones said.
To get reinstated, people need to bring proof of insurance with them to the tag office, proving that they had insurance at the time the survey was issued.
Jones also asks customers to be patient if their phone calls are not immediately returned. Sometimes, the voice mailbox fills up and cannot take messages.
“I am so proud of our ladies. They are so patient,” she said. “I appreciate the patience of the public.”
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Comments
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 8, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can someone clear some confusion? I called to make sure my property taxes were paid, as they are escrowed. I asked Tim Little when they would start taking Debit cards in the office. He told me it was not "likely" to happen. No problem. We try to renew online anyway. But I bought another toy and went to get the tag. Still no debit card machine. I paid cash.
Now, my confusion comes under the editorial posted November 7, 2009. Under an editorial published by, "Advertiser Staff", the following statement is displayed, "The office also accepts credit and debit cards in person."
Has Tim spent the money to invest in taking debit cards? Or, was the author mistaken? I occasionally, when bored, will go to the tag office to conduct business in person. Especially, when purchasing another toy that needs registration. The lack of a debit card processing method has been frustrating in the past. Along with waiting on the female behind the counter arguing with her kids and husband on the telephone to actually conduct office business. I hope the editorial author was correct in his/her statement.
Posted by dottie2008 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 4:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kw, as we all know Clanton isn't going to take credit cards..
They are misleading the tax payers.
Could be they are waiting on everyone to pay their taxes to get a machine.
I can say this it really would help things move a little faster.
Here where I live, they take cash, credit, or check.
And they have plenty of windows open so you don't stand in lines for hour's at a time. I agree with you on the renewing on-line.. You don't have to wait on anyone but yourself.. Ha
Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 4:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Should have been there on the last day of the month, also ended up that it was a Friday. You talk about a double whammy. The line was out to the street and around the corner. There is no reason for this to ever happen. When some made it to the counter they could not conduct their business,due to the fact they were given the wrong info on what it would take when they got there. Like no credit cards or debit cards. It really was a mad house.
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So the editorial is erroneous? They do not take debit cards? PayPal works online by passing the user fee on to us. No big deal, it's worth a couple bucks to NOT stand in line. So, why not set up the in house service and charge a fee? Wait, there is either "no money", "no need", or "the legislature must approve it". Guaranteed, those will be the excuses.
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cash works every time. Checks work for those who have to mail it in. I can't imagine paying taxes with a credit card. That's pretty ridiculous, especially since we all know for a full year that the taxes will be due. That should be plenty of time to set aside the money to pay it with. And why would anybody need to have a reminder mailed to them to renew their automobile tags? There's a reminder ON THE TAG! Have some people gotten so lazy that they can't walk around to the rear of their car? Good grief! This stuff shouldn't catch you off-guard folks. It's sort of like people not expecting trains to be on train tracks and hitting one at a crossing.
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All this talk about "CONVENIENCE".......................but they don't take debit cards, the lines are outrageous, and they aren't open before I go to work and are closed when I get off from work. I would say they have "bankers" hours but the banks are open longer!
Posted by cpw (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nov, It is nice to receive a reminder for the taxes we have to pay only once a year. The little sticker on the tag does not give much help on the amount owed since it changes every year.
kw, I am with you on the debit card issue. It is no big deal to walk across the street to the Colonial ATM, but I would rather the county have the 3 extra dollars I paid in bank fees.
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cpw: "Nov, It is nice to receive a reminder for the taxes we have to pay only once a year. The little sticker on the tag does not give much help on the amount owed since it changes every year." Huh? You can find the amount paid last year on your current year's tag receipt which is supposed to be carried in your vehicle along with proof of insurance. The amount generally goes DOWN as the value of the vehicle goes down. So let's see, you can look on the tag for a reminder of WHEN to renew the tag, and you can look on the tag receipt for an approximate AMOUNT due. What's the problem? Sure seems like people need a lot of help these days in taking care of their business. I don't get it. I guess we have gotten to the point where somebody has to hold our hands every step of the way.
Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on November 9, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can understand the confusion on the property tax issue for some. If you own several parcels of property, or you have subdivided a single parcel into lots, then you'll have several different amounts. I know as far as the parcel my house is on, it is escrowed. It's never been late in 15 years. No headache, no problem. As for vehicles, I agree with November. The only difference is the DEBIT card issue. We use debit cards for many purchases and almost ALL bills. I agree with November. Owning a CREDIT card is stupid in itself. Paying interest to spend money you don't have is expensive. I learned my credit card lesson 12 years ago! LOL! Ahh! the freedom I never knew existed!
Posted by cpw (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The amount generally goes DOWN...Sometimes a prorated tax is paid the year you purchase the vehicle, the amount goes up the second... Seriously, what is the big deal in expecting to receive a notice in the mail that lets you know the amount of tax that you are required to pay? I suspect a good many people mail in their check anyway. What's the problem? It certainly is not the citizenry needing someone to hold their hands every step of the way.
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