Georgetown, Del., Aug. 6, 2013: Sussex County tax bills are headed out soon, and property owners will notice quite a few changes for this year’s cycle, from the look of the bills down to where and how payments can be made.

The County’s Billing office this week will begin issuing tens of thousands of annual tax bills for the 2014 fiscal year, totaling an estimated $112.8 million in revenue. Bills will be issued throughout August, both by standard mail and electronically. Payment is due Sept. 30.

This year’s tax bills feature a new, easier-to-read format that should help taxpayers better understand their bills and payment options. A sample copy of this year’s bills is available on the County’s website, at sussexcountyde.gov/sites/default/files/PDFs/ReadingYourTaxBill.pdf.

Also new are changes to how and where payments can be made. For the first time, property owners can make credit card payments in person; that’s in addition to credit card payments that have been accepted online for years. And where customers pay has changed this year, too. The County has consolidated its payment locations into one convenient customer-service center, on the first floor of the County Administrative Offices building in Georgetown.

“Bill-paying, especially taxes, isn’t the kind of chore most people look forward to doing. Still, it has to be done, but it shouldn’t be painful,” County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said. “The County this year has taken a number of steps to try to make it as effortless and seamless an experience as possible, and we’re hopeful the public appreciates these changes.”

The County will mail 125,600 paper copies, while the remaining 41,400 bills will be sent electronically to mortgage lenders, requiring no paper or postage. Property owners not receiving a paper bill should check with their lender to ensure billing has occurred.

Patty Faucett, manager of the County’s Billing division, said property owners can view their tax bills online in a new, updated information portal, and those who no longer receive a statement still can request a paper copy of their account’s status, if needed.

Annual tax bills include County property taxes, and County sewer and water, tax ditch and street lighting fees, where applicable. Additionally, tax bills include local school district taxes, which are collected by the County but turned over to the State. Delaware law requires Sussex County to bill property owners for school taxes on behalf of the eight public school districts. Roughly 10 percent to 14 percent of the typical residential tax bill is for County property taxes.

Sussex County accepts tax payments by cash, check, money order, and debit or credit cards. Taxpayers have different options to make their payments. These include:

Many taxpayers have their annual taxes paid out of escrow accounts by their mortgage lenders. If these taxpayers have any questions regarding the status of their escrow accounts, they should contact their lenders.

Payment can be made on the Internet, with the use of most major credit cards or by check. Go to sussexcountyde.gov/pay-your-bill for more information.

Property owners can mail their tax payments using the return envelopes included in their statements. Bills should be addressed to the Sussex County Treasury Division, PO Box 429, Georgetown, DE 19947. All payments sent by mail must be postmarked by Sept. 30 to avoid the 1.5 percent penalty, per month, on unpaid balances.

The County’s payment center is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office is located on the first floor of the County Administrative Offices building, 2 The Circle, in Georgetown. Tax payments also can be left in the office’s after-hours drop box located in the lobby. For more information, call (302) 855-7760.