Late on property taxes due to the coronavirus? Merced County says it may be able to help
Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, stay-at-home orders and financial hardship has prevented many Merced County residents from paying property taxes on time.
Some relief came Tuesday. The Merced County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to allow residents impacted by the pandemic to apply for cancellation of penalties related to late property taxes.
County Treasurer-Tax Collector Karen Adams said tax collection is currently 5% behind compared to April 13 of last year. Thus far, the county has collected $127 in property taxes from resident.
The property tax deadline was April 10.
Late notices will be sent out to affected residents by next week, Adams said. The notices will include an insert directing late residents toward the COVID-19 impact penalty cancellation form.
Residents late on their property taxes between March 31 and April 30 can apply for the penalty waiver until June 10.
Approvals are contingent upon each resident providing proper proof of having been adversely impacted by the pandemic. “As a citizen, my heart is full of compassion for everyone impacted, including businesses,” said Adams. “As a tax collector, I am bound by the code.”
“There’s no doubt that I will frustrate some applicants, regretfully.”
Examples of acceptable documentation include, but are not limited to:
1. A doctor note showing hospitalization or orders to isolate or quarantine.
2. A hospital release form indicating date of admission, employment notification letters related to COVID-19 or an unemployment insurance claim letter.
Preexisting financial conditions are not covered by the penalty cancellation. “Your first (tax) installment must be in good standing to qualify, therefor not all financial hardships will be eligible for relief of penalty,” Adams said.
Approved applicants are still responsible for their property taxes. Payment must be made in full with the penalty cancellation request form by June 10.
If denied, payment will be returned to the individual and and they will be responsible for the full amount, plus late fees, by June 30.
Property tax payments not settled by June 30 become tax defaulted.
The request for penalty cancellation form can be found on the County Treasurer-Tax Collector website. The completed request, with documentation and payment, can be mailed or dropped off at 2222 M St. in Merced.
As of Wednesday, Merced County had 78 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
