Georgetown, Del., July 28, 2011: Sussex County’s 2012 tax bills are on their way to addresses in the real world and the virtual world alike.

Beginning the first week of August, the County’s Treasury Division will start issuing tens of thousands of annual tax bills for the 2012 fiscal year, totaling an estimated $104.8 million in revenue. Bills will be issued throughout the month of August, both by standard mail and electronically. Payment is due by Sept. 30.

This year’s tax bills include a small gift to taxpayers, as County Council earlier this year opted to waive the annual $3 capitation tax for residents 21 years and older. That reduction will mean an average savings of $6 for a typical household of two adults.

The County once again will reduce the number of bills it prints and mails, to about 131,100 paper copies. The remaining 39,400 bills will be sent electronically to mortgage lenders, requiring no paper or postage. That will save the County an estimated $17,340 in costs.

Amanda M. Bennett, director of the County’s Treasury Division, said property owners can view their tax bills online, and those who no longer receive a statement still can request a paper copy of their account’s status, if needed.

“So much information is available electronically now, and it’s easy for our customers to access it through the County website whenever they choose,” Ms. Bennett said. “The County has worked diligently to make this annual process as seamless and user-friendly as possible.”

Annual tax bills include County property taxes, as well as 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 within the county. Approximately 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 or credit card. Taxpayers have different options to make their payments. These include:

THROUGH LENDER

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

ONLINE

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.

BY MAIL

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.

IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE

The County’s tax office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office is located on the second floor, Room 252, 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.

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