PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Tax Office reminds those owning real estate that personal and business property as of Jan. 1, 2022, must ensure that the property is listed with the Tax Office no later than Jan. 31, 2022.
Listings received after this date will be subject to a late listing penalty equal to 10 percent of taxes owed.
Property Listing Forms will be mailed out, but property owners also can pick up forms at the tax office located at 12 East St. in Pittsboro (Chatham County Government Annex) or download a listing form online. Property owners who do not receive their listing form by Jan. 20 should call 919-542-8250 to make arrangements to list their property by the deadline.
Individuals can mail their completed listing forms, and they must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service no later than Jan. 31, to avoid penalties. Property also may be listed in person at the tax office. Owners must bring all detailed information necessary to identify their property and its value, including forms that were mailed.
Note that personal property listing forms are not used to list real estate property and any registered motor vehicles with tags. Registered motor vehicles are handled by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles.
Individuals who made any non-permit changes valued at $100 or more to real estate property during 2021 or those who need to change the registration status of a vehicle should contact the tax office. Examples of changes to real property impacting the value include destruction, acquisition, erection and damage.
Owners must list such property as unlicensed vehicles, trailers with multi-year registrations, mobile homes not designated as real property, all types of watercraft, aircraft and items used in a business. Business property also includes items used for farming, a trade or profession, or furnishings or appliances provided to a tenant.
For businesses wanting an extension, owners should contact the tax office at 919-545-8475 to request a business listing extension form that extends the deadline up to April 15 or go to this website. However, the business extension form must be completed and submitted no later than Jan. 31.
Unpaid 2021 Property Taxes: Tax bills mailed in 2021 for real and personal property are due by 5 p.m. on Jan. 5. Interest will accrue on all unpaid balances starting Jan. 6.
Once tax bills become delinquent, the tax office can begin collection procedures for late bills through such methods as garnishing wages (removing taxes from paychecks), attaching bank funds form bank accounts and income tax refunds, attaching rental income, placing levies on personal property and foreclosing on property.
Also, unpaid real estate property taxes will be advertised in the Chatham News + Record at an additional cost to the taxpayer. The taxes owed will be advertised in the current owner’s name.
Tax Relief Options for Specific Property Owners: North Carolina law provides a few property tax relief options for the elderly and permanently disabled, disabled veterans and certain low-income property owners. Information about these options and how to qualify can be found here. Those who no longer meet the requirements of these programs must notify the tax office. Persons receiving the tax relief options are by North Carolina law required to have a periodic compliance review. Those responsible for listing the property of someone who is deceased and who had qualified for the program last year, must notify the tax office.
Taxpayers are encouraged to review their personal property information online or visit the tax office to verify information on file.
For more information about any of the items listed above, or payment of taxes in general, individuals may contact the Chatham County Tax Office at 919-542-8250 or 919-542-8260.