TAMPA, FL – (November 2, 2012) – Doug Belden, Tax Collector reminds Hillsborough County property owners that the 2012 Property taxes are now available for payment.  We encourage property owners to take advantage of early payment discounts.

The deadline to receive a 4% discount is Wednesday, November 30th, 2012. Customers can pay online to save time. If a customer chooses to mail a payment, the envelope must be postmarked by November 30th, to secure the discount. Customers electing to pay by mail, should make check payable to Doug Belden, Tax Collector and send to P.O. Box 30012 Tampa, FL 33630-3012.

Alternative payment options are offered to our customers, Hillsborough County homeowners can make partial payments towards their 2012 property taxes beginning in November, but certain restrictions apply.  Taxpayers can also plan ahead and enroll in the installment plan for 2013. The plan is another option available for property owners to pay their taxes quarterly throughout the year and still take advantage of discounts. Enrollment for the 2013 Installment plan starts on November 1st, 2012 through April 30th, 2013.

Services provided by the Tax Collector’s office which include fees and commissions collected on behalf of each taxing authorities and other agencies are used to fund the operating budget, which is approved by the Florida Department of Revenue. The work volume, combined with cost-effective operations, results in fee revenues well in excess of the budget. These “unused fees” are returned to the local government agencies in proportion to the amount they pay. This year’s surplus funds enabled the tax collector’s office to distribute unused fees totaling $12,218,160.59 to the BOCC and other agencies.   Belden stated, “The surplus of funds is attributed to efficiencies and cost saving processes established throughout the Tax Collector’s office.

For more details regarding the collection of property taxes, discounts, partial payments or the installment plan, contact the Tax Collector’s office at 813.635.5200 or visit their web site at hillstax.org.