Property owners only have a few more days to pay their 2013 property taxes, due June 28.

“We encourage citizens to pay early,” said Deb Stott, controller-property taxation, with Revenue & Assessment. “People sometimes don’t account for the time it takes banks and financial institutions to process payments, but if payments are not processed on or before the deadline, the property owner is penalized.”

Tax payments can be made by coming in-person to the City Hall cashiers or dropping the payment off in an envelope in the City Hall night depository located on the east side of the building. The deadline for in-person payments at City Hall is June 28 by 4:30 p.m.

Payments can also be sent by mail, but property owners must ensure their payments are postmarked by Canada Post by June 28, 2013 to avoid penalty. Payments can be mailed to The City of Red Deer, Box 5008, Red Deer Alberta, T4N 3T4.

Most financial institutions also accept payment, or many residents are now choosing to pay their property taxes through online banking or by telephone banking. It is important that property owners allow sufficient time for payment to reach The City of Red Deer and know their banks processing times.

Property owners who miss the payment deadline have to pay a six per cent penalty on the outstanding property taxes owing. For example, if $2,000 is left unpaid after the due date, a penalty of 6% or $120 would be applied to the account.

For more information about City of Red Deer property assessment and taxation visit us online at www.reddeer.ca/tax, or stop by and see us on the fourth floor of City Hall, 4914 48 Ave.

– Fawcett