Nov. 30 last day to get discount on property taxes

The Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office staff is reminding all county property owners that Wednesday, Nov. 30, is the last day they can get a 4% discount on their annual taxes.

That day normally draws a crowd, said Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates. However, she pointed out in a news release, “There are options to paying in person.”

Property owners are welcome to pay online at www.sarasotataxcollector.com. The 4% discount applies to anyone who pays online or in person by Nov. 30. People also are welcome to call the office at 877-729-2001 to provide credit card information.

Drive-through service will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Terrace Building, 101 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota; at the south Sarasota office, 8484 S. Tamiami Trail; and at the Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

Liz Klaber, chief deputy tax collector, said Monday that about 70 percent of the total amount of taxes generally is paid by Nov. 30, so property owners can take advantage of the discount. Last year, she said, about 72% of people paid bills for 68% of the parcels by Nov. 30.

“Obviously, we think, paying online is really great for the customer,” she said. Anyone who uses that option, she pointed out, can print a receipt immediately.

Moreover, Klaber said, property owners who are not full-time Sarasota County residents sometimes miss their bills in mail, if they are traveling between homes this time of year. “Snowbirds are kind of going back and forth” she added. By going online, they can access their bills if they have not received them in the mail.

“I think more and more people are paying online,” she added.

People who pay by mail must make sure their envelopes are postmarked by Nov. 30. They will get their receipts, Klaber said, but just not as fast as those who pay online.