"Tax payments have been coming in steadily, especially during the month of December" said Mark Logan, Catawba County Tax Administrator. "Those who have not yet paid should remember that interest accrues at the rate of 2% for January and three-fourths of one percent for each following month on all tax bills still unpaid after 5 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2009. Payments sent by mail must be postmarked no later than January 5, 2009 to avoid the added interest.”

Personal Property Listing Abstracts for 2009 were to be mailed at the end of December 2008. Everyone receiving a listing abstract must list during the month of January. Property owners should carefully follow the instructions printed on the back of the abstract, which tells how to properly fill it out. Those receiving an abstract should draw a line through any property listed on the abstract that they no longer own, and list any additional items which are not printed on the new abstract.

“If you were the owner of a double wide manufactured home, single wide mobile home, boat and motor, jet ski, aircraft, multi-year tagged trailers, or an unregistered (not tagged) automobile, truck, trailer, camper, motor home, or motorcycle in 2008, and you are still the owner of any or all of these in 2009, you are required to list these during the month of January,” Logan said. “You should receive a 2009 listing abstract during the first week of January. If you own the types of property listed above and do not receive a listing abstract by Friday, January 2, 2009, please call 828-465-8402 so one can be mailed to you. Taxpayers can avoid penalties by making sure they have properly listed all of the types of property noted above with the Tax Office.”

Owners of land and buildings will automatically receive a tax bill and are not required to list. Tagged vehicles are billed on a staggered monthly system during the tax year. It is very important to pay your vehicle tax in a timely manner, however, to avoid having your North Carolina license tag blocked.

If you are presently receiving the homestead exemption available for the elderly, or the exemption for being totally and permanently disabled, and do not have personal property to list, you are not required to complete a listing abstract for 2009. The exemption will be granted automatically. Persons who wish to apply for those exemptions for the first time should call 828-465-8401 to receive the proper form.