I know we can remit penalty due to Covid, but what about someone who has been late numerous times in the last 5 yrs.? He is being very nasty with letters (telling me "You Will take off the late fee or he will take me to court") with his payments. How long and how many times do we remit penalties for Covid as the reason for being late? I have (1) lady that has (4) parcels and she is making payments. Do I keep taking the penalties and interest off for the next year or so, until she is caught up?
Thanks!
Tracy Warnecke
Putnam County Treasurer
tracy.warnecke@
Andrew Smarra on Tuesday 10/20/2020 at 02:47 PM
Tracy, there's no statutory remitting late fees for "covid", however each county may through the board of revisions remit penalties for reasons other than those listed on the DTE23. In so far as the taxpayer threatening you, you may want to contact the sheriff and let him/her know.
Other than for the DTE23 reasons listed if the taxpayer hasn't had a late penalty for the last 3 yrs we will remit. Otherwise no! Good luck to him taking you to court or appealing to the BTA. In so far as the lady with 4 properties, the answer is that you don't remove penalties. If the property owner is certified delinquent, they you can enter them into a payment plan. If they abide by the pay plan requirements, there will be no interest or penalties on the delinquent amount.
Nancy Nix on Thursday 10/22/2020 at 09:10 AM
April, we haven't really changed our practices due to COVID for ROPs. I'm giving more leeway with payment plans, but for ROPs, we're still using the same form and parameters as before.
April Bowersock on Tuesday 10/20/2020 at 02:19 PM
Tracy,
If someone is on a payment plan, I remit the penalty. If they fail to complete the delinquent contract, I put the penalty back on.
This year ONLY I am giving everyone the benefit of the doubt due to COVID and will remit penalty for anyone that asks. But only on 2019 taxes. I WILL NOT remit prior years penalties. If someone is threatening to take you to court. Tell them to go ahead. They are going to pay court costs to eliminate penalty fees? He most likely is calling your bluff. Stick to your guns.