Property Tax due Thursday

Thursday is the deadline to pay your property tax. Allen County Treasure, Susan Orth, says her office is usually busier this time of year. Shes concerned people are not going to pay. “I dont understand why we dont have as many people coming in as we normally have, and it kind of concerns me.” Some taxpayers say they simply cant afford to pay until they have to. One taxpayer says the economy is making it hard to pay bills in advance. Many property owners are not happy about the increase they saw in their bill this year. The Counties Chief Deputy Assessor, Ryan Keuneke, explained why taxes might have gone up. “A lot of that has to do with the state reducing the property tax credit they gave to us in the past. Since that is no longer there a lot of tax bills went up.” Even with higher taxes, only 1% of Allen County property owners appealed their assessment. FOX Fort Wayne spoke with James Hill who filed for reassessment because his taxes jumped $35,000. “We are fighting it because they are just too high.” If you think you taxes are wrong, you still have time submit a reassessment request. The deadline is September 3, 2009. Not paying by Thursday means fines of 5% of your bill for the first 30days. After that you will be charged 10%. To make file for reassessment visit www.allencountyassessor.org, and click on the appeals tab. For information on Property Tax payment methods visit http://www.allencounty.us/government/tax-a-property/treasurers-office