Shackelford County taxes due by January 31

By Melinda L. Lucas

Taxes assessed during 2024 are officially due next week, on Friday, Jan. 31. 

Payments made in person at 132 Hill St. will be accepted through the end of that work day, as will mailed payments postmarked no later than Jan. 31, 2025. 

Online and drop box payments are also options. Online payments will be assessed a convenience fee by the processing company.

Official Deadline

Payments postmarked Jan. 31 or earlier are not considered delinquent even though they may not arrive at the tax office for several more days.

A self-addressed stamped envelope needs to be enclosed with mailed or dropped payments in order for taxpayers to receive a receipt by return mail.

Online payments at  www.shackelfordcad.com can be made any time before midnight on Jan. 31. 

Local taxpayers can bring in their payments in person by the end of the working day on Friday, Jan. 31.

Payments placed in the drop box outside the office at 132 Hill St. will be counted as current as long as they are in the office by the morning of Feb. 3.

Hours at the SCAD office are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Staff members stagger their lunch hours in order to keep the office open during that time for the public’s convenience.

Payment Plans

According to interim chief appraiser Richard Petree, payment plans are basically the same as last year and can be set up when the taxpayer calls the office to make those arrangements.

Local homeowners over the age of 65 with the homestead, along with those who have a disability exemption through Social Security, may qualify for special payment plans. 

Persons who are over 65 or disabled are allowed to pay their taxes on their homestead in four equal installments by paying the first one by Jan. 31. The remaining payments are due March 31, May 31, and July 31. No penalty or interest is collected on this alternative method of payment.

Over-65 homeowners may also take advantage of a “deferment option,” which delays collection of homestead taxes until the property owner is deceased. At that time, the total amount of taxes is taken from the estate.

These homeowners fill out a one-time form, so it is not required annually.

Petree reminded taxpayers who are interested in any kind of payment plan that they must call the office before the end of this month.

Penalties

Taxes will become delinquent after the payment deadline, and property owners who do not pay their 2024 taxes in time will be charged penalty and interest on an accumulating scale.

Local taxpayers can contact the tax office at 325-762-2207 for more information.