Your name appeared in the delinquent tax rolls published in the newspaper. What does that mean? How does it affect you and your property?
The header on the list tells part of the tale. It informs the property owner that the taxes on that piece of property have not be paid as of the date the information was compiled and sent to the paper. Further reading shows that tax sales are an entirely different listing and tax sales are for land parcels that have three or more years of delinquent taxes. Those sales usually take place in June, at least in Blaine County.
However, there are steps to take to get your name – and your land – off the list.
According to Blaine County treasurer Crystal Campos-Perez, owners can follow these steps to ensure their taxes are paid properly.
First, be aware the printed tax rolls are for 2024. Owners can go online to the Blaine County Treasurer’s website and locate the exact amount owed. In addition to taxes, there could be fees and penalties. Or call the office at (580) 623-5007 and verify the amount owed. The office can also check for back taxes.
Once the amount owed is verified, it can be paid by cash in the office, by dropping a check off or in the drop box or mailing it to P.O. Box 140, Watonga, OK, 73772.
If those options don’t work for you, locate your name and the property on the website and pay using a debit card with the Visa logo for a fee of $3.95, or other credit or debit cards with a surcharge of 2.95% of the amount due.
Because the taxes are delinquent, the entire amount must be paid in a lump sum.
But what if you have already paid and the property shows up on the tax rolls anyway?
That’s an easy fix. Simply call or drop by the office and have your receipt available. Once that is reviewed, the error can be corrected.