By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Property taxes for 2004 will be delinquent and subject to penalty unless they are paid before Jan. 4, 2005, according to Amanda Scott, Morgan County revenue commissioner.
Scott reported collections of $19.4 million on Dec. 16. She anticipates collections to reach $43 million, an increase of about $600,000 over 2003.
The increase is due to the reappraisal of commercial and residential property last spring. Morgan County is one of 10 Alabama counties mandated to conduct the reappraisal of property annually instead of once every four years.
"Collections are about normal for this time of the year," Scott said. "Many taxpayers wait until after Christmas holidays to pay. We expect that and do our best to be prepared."
Taxes may be paid from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at either the Morgan County Courthouse or at a satellite office in Hartselle in the Crestwood Shopping Center. Tax offices will be closed December 23-24 for the Christmas holiday and December 30-31 for the New Year holiday. Payments may also be made via the Internet at www.co.morgan.al.us.
Scott reminded taxpayers that anyone who is 65 years or older is eligible to apply for an age exemption. Any property owner whose annual gross income is $7,500 or less is eligible to apply for total exemption.