Georgetown, Del., July 27, 2007: Tax season might be the furthest thing from most Americans’ minds in the heat of summer. But in Sussex County, tax time is just warming up.

Sussex County property owners soon will begin receiving their 2007 County tax bills, which will collect money to help fund local government services and schools. Payment this year will be due Sept. 30.

This past week, the County’s Treasury Division has printed more than 161,000 annual tax bills totaling an estimated $96 million. The bills include County property taxes, as well as County sewer and water, tax ditch and street lighting fees, where applicable.

Additionally, the statements 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.

The first round of mailings began Wednesday, July 25, 2007, and will continue through early August.

Amanda M. Bennett, director of the County’s Treasury Division, said Sussex County has made some payment method changes this year to improve customer service.

“We’ve broadened the payment method now to allow taxpayers to pay with checks online, or to pay either online or in person using most major credit cards,” Mrs. Bennett said. “It’s our hope that these changes make the process much more user-friendly.”

Sussex County accepts tax payments by cash, check, money order or credit card. Taxpayers have different options to make their payments:

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. For more information, call (302) 855-7760.