Tax statements to be mailed soon

By Melinda L. Lucas

After a longer than expected delay, thousands of tax statements should be mailed next week to Shackelford County land, property, and business owners.

According to Shackelford County Appraisal District (SCAD) chief appraiser Clayton Snyder, the statements normally go out by the second week of  October, but are about a month later than usual for reasons that have nothing to do with the local staff.

“SCAD handles collections for all local taxing units in Shackelford County,” explained Snyder. “We were ready to create a file on Oct. 9 to send to the printer, but before we could do that, we had to get files from Callahan and Stephens CADs for parts of the districts that overlap,” specifically Moran ISD.

Snyder said that he inquired about going ahead and sending statements excluding MISD, but the software vendor was unable to come up with an acceptable remedy.

“We finally received the electronic file from Callahan CAD last week, but it was for Clyde ISD, not Moran,” said the chief appraiser, “so we had to wait again until the correct file arrived.”

When the completed records were submitted, however, the printer’s schedule was already full, and the statements could not be scheduled until next week.

“The printer is also dealing with COVID staffing shortages,” said Snyder, “but if no more issues come up, they plan to have all our statements mailed on Monday.”

He added that as long as taxpayers receive their statements by Jan. 10, 2021, the first day of February 2021 remains as the delinquency date, according to Texas tax code.

Snyder also asked that taxpayers attempt to pay taxes through non-contact measures such as mail or online if possible.

“We are currently open for walk-in traffic, but we want to be as safe as possible,” he said.

The tax office will comply with state guidance on health measures during the collection period.

“We will not require masks until instructed to do so, but we are asking that only two taxpayers be in the lobby at a time, and that everyone try to practice safe standards for COVID-19,” said Snyder. “The staff will do its best to accommodate taxpayers in this unique environment.”

Taxpayers who have questions should call 325-762-2207.