Tax commissioner says postal service issues will not change property tax deadlines

Officials with the DeKalb County Tax Commissioners office said even though they are aware of mailing and delivery issues affecting some residents, payment deadlines for property taxes will remain the same.

On Sept. 14, DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin Johnson announced that officials with the tax office were recently notified by some customers that their mailed payments were being returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable.

“Tax bills are also being returned to this office as undeliverable and the issue, which is actively being researched, is related to a U.S. Postal Service mail sorting error,” said Johnson.

But despite the issue not yet being resolved, homeowners will still be expected to meet payment deadlines or face late fees, stated officials.

“Customers are reminded that payment deadlines are Oct. 2 for the first installment and Nov. 15 for the second installment,” said officials. “If paying the full amount in one payment, it must be paid in full by Oct. 2. Payments not received by the due dates are subject to late fees. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the owner of the responsibility to pay taxes due.”

Officials with the tax commissioner’s office said there are several ways to pay tax bills, including:

• Online at https://dekalbtax.org/property-information. Credit/debit card payments are accepted. Processing fees apply, but there is no service fee for paying by e-Check.
• Pay-by-phone by calling 770-336-7500, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Credit/debit card payments are accepted; processing fees apply. (This payment method does not apply to prior year delinquent payments.)
• At the 24-hour drop box available at the three office locations listed below. Payment must be placed in the box by the due date and cash is not accepted.
• In person at the Central Office located at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur; North Office located at 3653 Clairmont Road in Chamblee and South Office located at 2801 Candler Road, Suite 66 in Decatur at the South DeKalb Mall.

This year, city of Tucker property owners will receive a one-time supplemental bill to collect for services taken over by the city as of July 1, 2023. This bill is separate from the county property tax bill, stated officials.

City of Brookhaven property owners will also receive a one-time supplemental tax bill for an adjustment to the city’s stormwater rate as approved by the mayor and council.

Officials said that city of Atlanta/DeKalb tax bills were mailed beginning on Sept. 15.

For more information, visit dekalbtax.org.