Tax statements will have new appearance; first due date extended

The Haskell County treasurer wants property owners to know that the appearance of the 2020 original property tax statement is different from previous statements.

The county previously used a tax program provided by the state. That program is no longer available, and the county is now using a new tax program, Treasurer Gayla Orr told the Stigler News-Sentinel.

Taxpayers will also have additional time to make payments, according to Orr.

“I am extending the due date until Jan. 15, 2021 on full or half payments,” Orr explained. “ Second half due date will still be March 31, 2021. A second half stub will be provided with the original 2020 property tax statement and a reminder will not be sent out at the beginning of March of each year, as the office has in the past.” 

On the original 2020 property tax statement, if the property owner has a “BT” in the top right corner, that means they have back taxes and will need to call the treasurer’s office for the total amount to pay, Orr explained.

The treasurer also reminded property owners that they must bring a copy of the tax statement when making their property tax payment at the treasurer’s office.

Taxpayers who want to pay their taxes in person will be required to follow several restrictions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Orr explained. Taxpayers must enter the courthouse through the west end door. This is the only outside entrance to the courthouse that is currently available for public access. Only two taxpayers may be in the treasurer’s office at one time, and face masks are required.

Property owners also have the option to use the dropbox on the east side of the courthouse to make payments. The box is checked several times a day. Any documents placed in the dropbox by 2 p.m. will reflect a payment on the next business day. Property owners may also mail their property tax payments, and the treasurer’s office will use the postmark on the envelope. 

Questions? Contact the treasurer’s office at 918-967-2441.

By Anita Reding, staff reporter