Time is running out to pay your 2023 taxes. Real estate and personal property taxpayers have through Jan. 5 to pay their taxes without incurring a late fee.
“The week after Christmas and the first week in January are the busiest times for our collections staff,” said Crawford Bolton, Wilson County’s tax administrator. More than 44,000 tax notices were sent in August, Bolton said.
Real estate and personal property tax payments will need to be paid or postmarked on or before Jan. 5 to avoid interest charges.
“On Jan. 6, interest will automatically apply to any outstanding bills,” Bolton said.
The tax office offers multiple ways for residents to pay their taxes.
“The quickest way is to do it online or over the phone using a debit or credit card,” Bolton said. “You can also mail in a check or money order to our office.”
Payments can be made in person at the county tax office, 113 Nash St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays; by mail to Wilson County, P.O. Box 1162, Wilson NC 27893-1162; online at wilsoncountync.gov; or by phone at 252-360-1033.
To avoid one large bill when taxes are due the next go-around, Bolton said the tax office offers prepayment and installment payment plans.
“There are a lot of people who take advantage of that,” Bolton said.
He said interested taxpayers can look into those payment options for the 2024 tax year.
“We know that this time of year can be tough on people financially due to the holidays,” Bolton said. “It takes the burden off you to have to pay one lump sum at the end of the year. There are a lot of people who take advantage of that.”
LISTING PERIOD BEGINS JAN. 1
Bolton also wants to remind the public about the upcoming listing period for businesses and individuals with personal property. The listing period starts Jan. 1 and runs through Jan. 31.
“The taxpayer is requested to list their personal property with the tax office on a yearly basis per state law,” Bolton said.
Listing notices for personal property will be sent Friday, Dec. 29, and should hit mailboxes within the first couple of days of January.
“We’re only sending out listing forms to personal property owners,” Bolton said.
Personal property includes boats, trailers, Jet Skis, mobile homes, motorhomes, campers and utility trailers. Bolton said listing notices will be pre-filled with personal property owned. If nothing has changed, residents can sign the form and return it to the tax office. Taxpayers with changes in their personal property should note them on the hardcopy form or report them to the tax office online.
Business owners will need to list their property, too. Business personal property is any asset that generates income for a business, officials said. Business personal property includes machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, computer equipment, farm equipment, supplies and improvements to leased property.
Listings received after Jan. 31 without an approved extension are considered late, and taxpayers will incur a 10% penalty under state law. If residents aren’t able to list their property by Jan. 31, they can file an extension request with the tax office online or in person.
If the extension is granted, residents will have until April 15.
Real property owners will not receive a listing form this year due to the 2024 countywide revaluation, Bolton said. Those who own real estate will receive a revaluation notice by March 1, he said.
