Three weeks remain to pay tax bills without penalty

If you still haven’t paid your 2016 property tax bill yet, you have nearly three more weeks to do so before you will be penalized.

The “face value” for the property tax payments will be honored through Jan. 3, 2017.

Beginning the next day on Jan. 4, a 5 percent penalty will be added, which continues through Jan. 31.

Starting Feb. 21, an additional 21 percent penalty is added to delinquent tax bills.

If you plan to go to the sheriff’s office to pay your tax bill, please take note of the following schedule changes for the month of the December.

Due to the holidays, the sheriff’s office in the courthouse will be closed December 23, 26 and 30. The sheriff’s office will also be closed Jan. 2, 2017.

The closures only affect office activities. Law enforcement services will continue. To speak with a deputy, contact Whitley Co. E911 at (606) 549-6017, and in case of emergency always dial 911.

“Please share this information with your friends and family. Unfortunately, the sheriff’s department does not set the tax collection schedule. However, we hope these reminders help as many people as possible avoid paying any more than they have to,” Sheriff Colan Harrell said in a release.