General Property Questions
1. When are property tax bills mailed out?
In October the Property tax bills are mailed to the owner of record (as of 1 January). If a deed change occurs after the first of the year, a tax bill is mailed to the new owner of the property as a courtesy. New owners should contact their title company or review their closing statement to determine who is responsible for paying the taxes. Payment of property tax depends on when the property is transferred. Unpaid taxes continue to accrue against the property.
2. What time of year are property taxes due?
Taxes are due and payable from the 1st Monday in October through February 29th.
3. Are partial payments accepted for my taxes?
Yes. Any amount left unpaid when the taxes become delinquent is assessed interest and penalty. Until the tax amount is paid in full, a tax lien will remain in effect on your property.
4. What happens if I miss the tax payment deadline?
From the first day of each month beginning March 1, interest and penalty, which accrues at the rate of 1.5 percent per month, is added to your tax amount. If the Post Office fails to postmark your payment by the dates due it is considered a late payment. This applies even if you mail your payment on time. Online property tax payments made through the BIS system are recognized by the county as paid on the date of the online transaction.
5. What time period do my annual taxes cover?
The taxes that become payable on the 1st Monday in October cover the current calendar year.
6. Where can my tax bill be paid in person?
The trustee’s office is in the Henry County Courthouse Annex, 213 W. Washington Street. Our Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Outside the entrance to the Annex, there is a secured night deposit box for payments.
7. What does the term “EtUx” beside my husband’s name on the property bill mean?
EtUx is a Latin phrase meaning “and wife.” The phrase “EtVir” means “and husband,” EtAl means “and others.”
8. What do some of the terms on my tax bill mean?
Check the online glossary section for definitions of terms on your tax bill.
9. Does my mortgage company get a copy of my tax bill mailed to them?
No. It is the property owner’s responsibility to forward tax bills to their mortgage company. Tax bills are mailed to the property owner to review the information.
Exemptions
1. Do the elderly, disabled, or disabled veterans receive any discounts or exemptions?
Eligibility requirements include:
age/ disability; ownership/ residency; and income (except veterans and their eligible surviving spouses). To apply for property tax relief you must meet these three basic criteria – these are described below. Reimbursements for the property taxes of low-income homeowners who are elderly or disabled are provided by the state of Tennessee. Income does not apply to disabled veterans or their surviving spouses. Reimbursements are given on all or part of the local taxes paid on property which the taxpayer owns and uses as his/her residence. These benefits are paid on the first $25,000 market value of the property.
Age/ Disability
During the tax year for which they are applying, an applicant must turn 65 on or before December 31. In order to apply as a disabled homeowner, a person must have become disabled on or before December 31 of the year. An applicant may apply if they are awaiting a decision on their disability claim. The state office must receive the final decision by June 30 following the delinquency date. The final decision must indicate their disability began on or before December 31 of the tax year.
Ownership/ Residency
An applicant must be able to document that they had ownership of the taxable property during the tax year. Ownership may be documented by a tax bill/receipt, warranty deed, probated will, title, or bill of sale for a mobile home.
Income Requirement (Elderly or Disabled Homeowners)
The combined annual income from all sources of all the living owners of record is required and cannot exceed the statutory limit set by the State of Tennessee which can change each year. Annual income from all sources shall include, but is not limited to: Social Security payments after the Medicare deduction, supplemental security income, retirement and pension benefits, veteran’s benefits, worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation, salaries and wages, alimony, total interest, and total dividends. For income from a business, include only the net income or loss after expenses.
Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans must have disability ratings at 100 percent. The disabilities must be service connected. For veterans who qualify, there is no income limit. Tax relief is paid on the first $175,000 of market value of the home.
Applications for tax relief are available in the trustee’s office. For more information, call our office at (731) 642-6633.
Reviewing Your Property Info
1. Is there a charge for reviewing information about my property?
For an individual property, there is no charge for reviewing tax information.
2. Is my property information viewable by other people?
Any individual or company is allowed to review it. Property tax information is public record.
Property Assessment
1. Where can I find information about the assessed value of my property?
The county assessor is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of property. You may contact the county assessor’s office at (731) 642-0162.
2. How are the county assessor’s office and the trustee’s office related?
The county assessor is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of property, according to state law. The trustee’s office is responsible for billing and collection of taxes based upon assessments. The trustee has no authority over the amount of assessment, nor can he/she be involved in the appraisal process.
3. What is the appeal process?
Appointments can be made by contacting the assessor’s office. The appeal process begins in the county assessor’s office by appearing before the Local Board of Equalization. This board meets annually during the month of June.
Tax Sale Information
1. What is a tax sale?
An auction of parcels of property that have delinquent taxes.
2. What is the date and time of the annual tax sale auction?
The tax sale auction is held October or November of each year.
For date and details contact the Clerk & Master’s office at (731) 642-4234.
3. Where and when will the auction/sale be advertised?
Local newspaper/Paris Post-Intelligencer
4. When are tax sales advertised?
The auction list is published two (2) months prior to the sale and runs twice.
5. How and when do you register for the tax sale auctions?
There is no registration. You must simply be present to bid.
6. Is it possible to register by mail?
No, you cannot register by mail.
7. What type of payment is required at auction?
Either cash or Cashier’s check is required at the time of the sale.
8. What type of bidding process are used?
This is an open public auction.
9. Will the sales be final?
Yes, all sales are final at the auction.
10. Will all other liens be cleared from the property as a result of the sale?
State and federal liens are not cleared. Property bought at a tax sale will generally have 1 to 3 years of additional taxes that should be paid only when a deed to the property has been given to a buyer.
11. Is there a redemption period before I can take possession once a property is acquired through your tax sale? If so, what is the redemption period?
The new owner cannot take possession of the property until one year from the date the confirmation of sale is filed.
12. If there is a redemption period, does the investor earn interest during the redemption period? If so, what is the annual interest rate?
There is an annual interest rate of 10 percent earned on the property during the redemption period.
13. If a foreclosure is necessary, will the county assist in this matter?
No. The county does not assist with foreclosures.
14. Will I receive a document to verify the purchase? Will it be a deed or a certificate of lien?
You will receive a receipt showing the amount you paid. At the end of the redemption period, the county will issue a deed.
15. Do you allow investors to invest at your tax sales without attending the tax sale?
No.
16. Is a current list of available properties or liens available?
The available properties are published twice prior to the tax sale, the first publication being two (2) months prior to the sale.
17. Is a copy of the county and state statutes and rules regarding the tax sale available for purchase?
No.
18. Would you please place me on your mailing list if you have one?
There is no mailing list, however a copy of the publication will be mailed if requested and a stamped, self-addressed envelope provided.
19. Can I get a list of properties whose redemption period has already expired?
Property past the redemption period becomes county-owned property.
20. When will the list of unsold /unbid-on property be available?
If there is any property that was not sold or bid on, the one year redemption period applies to the county and can only be purchased through the County Delinquent Tax Committee.