April 30 filing deadline for installment payment plan

Palm Beach County property owners can 'Catch A Break'

SouthFloridaSunrise.com Staff report

April 10--Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, reminds property owners that April is the last month to sign up for the 2012 Installment Payment Plan (IPP) for property taxes.

“Many families and seniors can have a tough time making the one lump sum payment or find four smaller payments a much more budget friendly option,” says Gannon.

Gannon’s office is promoting her 'Catch A Break' public education campaign.  The agency wants to spread the word about the Installment Plan enrollment option and the April 30th application deadline to Palm Beach County property owners.  The plan breaks up the one lump sum payment into four quarterly payments.  People paying on the plan receive a 3 percent discount.  Property owners who pay one lump sum in November receive a 4% discount.  The Installment Payment Plan is authorized in Florida Statutes, Chapter 197.222.

The 2011 Property Tax season which ended on April 2nd has 21,743 property owners in the IPP. Those taxpayers will be automatically renewed as long as they make the upcoming  June payment on time; they do not need to reapply.

Click here for the plan application online at taxcollectorpbc.com or pick one up at Tax Collector service centers.  Completed applications need to be turned into Gannon’s office by April 30th.  Applications received after the deadline do not qualify for 2012 tax season enrollment.  If someone is already enrolled in the plan, they do not need to complete another application.  Payments are due last day of June, September, December and March.  If the June installment is missed, the property owner is automatically removed from the plan.

“I just want to stress that there is an April 30th deadline for enrollment,” says Gannon.  “If you’d like to break up your property tax payment and still receive a discount - this plan is for you.  It costs nothing other than postage to send us the application.  Once you’re signed-up, there’s no penalty for changing your mind and opting out. “