Kingsport Customer Service to open for extended hours through November

KINGSPORT ‚¬ Kingsports Customer Service Center at City Hall will be open extended hours beginning Monday, November 14, 2011 through Wednesday, November 30. During these dates, the Service Center will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Extended hours are designed to meet an expected increase in customer walk-in traffic associated with the payment of City property taxes, which are due on or before Wednesday, November 30th

City Property Taxes become delinquent December 1st with a 2 percent penalty accruing on that date. Beginning January 1st, an additional 2 percent penalty is incurred. Unpaid taxes continue to incur an additional 1 percent penalty each month thereafter.

Payments may also be mailed to the Customer Service Center located at 225 West Center Street. Payments by mail must be postmarked on or before November 30th to avoid penalty.

In addition, customers may use one of three convenient Drop Boxes, located in the parking area directly behind the City Hall Building near Shelby Street, and two more located inside the building entrance areas of the Customer Service Center.

The City is also encouraging residents age 65 or greater, as well as those who are totally and permanently disabled, or veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability, to check on their eligibility for property tax relief on their 2011 property taxes.

For those aged 65 or greater or those who are totally and permanently disabled, qualifications for the program require an annual total income of $26,830 or less (including spousal income) based on calendar year 2010 income sources. Disabled veterans or spouses of a deceased disabled veteran also may be eligible for assistance on their 2011 property taxes, without having to provide income amounts.

To enroll in the Property Tax Relief program, applicants must bring their City property tax notice, proof of 2010 income, Social Security Card, Medicare Card, and deed information if they are new property owners.

New qualifying applicants must pay their property taxes in full and subsequently will receive a reimbursement from the State of Tennessee for the amount of their qualifying assistance.

If you have not received a tax statement, have any questions concerning your property tax bill or want to discuss property tax relief eligibility, please phone the Customer Service Center at (423) 229-9418.