VI early Taxpayer Discount Extended Until Tuesday-20 March

Taxpayers queue for discount

By ALDETH LEWIN (Daily News Staff)
Published: March 15, 2012

Daily News Photo by THOMAS LAYER A line extends out the door, through the breezeway and down the stairs at the Lt. Governor's Office Wednesday morning on St. Thomas as property owners wait to pay their tax bills before the 5 percent discount expires.

The early bird discounts for paying 2009 property taxes has led to long lines at the Lt. Governor's Office as taxpayers rush out to pay their bills and save some money.

To quell the frustrations of taxpayers unable to wait several hours to pay their bills, the Lt. Governor's Office is extending the discount time period.

Lt. Governor's Office spokeswoman Shawna Richards said some taxpayers have called concerned because they have not yet received the actual 2009 property tax bill in the mail. She said taxpayers do not need to bring in the actual bill to make a payment. The cashiers can access the taxpayer's tax bill information at their workstations and record the payment.

Richards did not say why the delays at the property tax office were so substantial.

The 5 percent discount on property taxes was supposed to end today, but now the deadline is extended to Tuesday.

To further assist taxpayers wanting to cash in on the early bird discount, the Tax Collector Office at Government House in Christiansted on St. Croix and at the Builder's Emporium building on St. Thomas will take payments from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis said he hopes more property owners will take advantage of the opportunity to save.

"We are sensitive to the challenges being experienced throughout the territory and are hoping that more property owners take advantage of this additional opportunity to save on their 2009 tax bills," Francis said in a written statement.

After the Tuesday deadline passes, the discount will drop to 2.5 percent until March 30, when the bill is due in full.

People sending in their payment by mail are encouraged to enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope to have their payment receipt returned by mail. Checks, cash, money orders, ATM, debit and credit cards - Visa and Mastercard only - are accepted. People submitting payments by mail are advised not to send cash.

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