June 2, 2008 – Property owners who owe property taxes for the years 2005 and prior are advised to expect receiving delinquency notices in their mailboxes this week. They are encouraged to take advantage of the property tax amnesty program that begins today. The 120-day amnesty, which ends on Sept. 30, reduces the financial burden on property owners by waiving interest and attachment fees, according to a press release from Property Tax Assessor for the Virgin Islands Roy Martin.
Martin urges property owners who know they owe overdue property taxes to make their payments to the Tax Assessor's Office in their district or at the Department of Finance. "Don't wait until you receive the notice in the mail," Martin said. "All delinquent property taxes are due in full on or before the end of the amnesty period."
He is hopeful that property owners will take advantage of the amnesty program. "I encourage all property owners receiving these notices to capitalize on this amnesty opportunity and be proactive in reducing any financial impact that they may experience," he states.
A payment plan option is also available for those residents who may be experiencing financial hardship. Payments would have to be completed before the end of the amnesty period. Those interested in this plan would have to contact the Collections Office in their district to make necessary arrangements.
Persons who have any questions about the tax status of their property or who believe that they are wrongly reported as delinquent can visit the Collections Office at the Department of Finance to provide proof of payment or contact the Tax Assessor's Office to request copies of bills for individual tax years.
Property owners can also expect to receive phone calls from employees of the Lieutenant Governor's Office verifying their current mailing address and property or parcel numbers. The public's cooperation is appreciated as the Tax Assessor's Office takes extra measures to ensure the accuracy of its data during the release of the delinquency notices.
Throughout the territory, almost 47,000 parcels of property are recorded as being in delinquent tax status. These delinquencies amount to over $50 million in taxes owed to the V.I. government.