June 2020, Vol. 14, Issue 6

Special Edition – Offering Service By Appointment Only

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Dear Friends,

This issue of Tax Talk features important information as I continue to take careful steps to reopen the agency while balancing the health and safety of our employees and the community.

Beginning June 1, 2020, I will reopen our doors to the public BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please note several requirements and safety measures put in place for in-person service and remote driving tests.

Finally, I would like to extend my warm wishes for a very happy Father’s Day! Thank you for the sacrifices you make every day to love, guide and protect our children.

Sincerely,

Anne M. Gannon
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County

Requirements and Safety Measures in our Offices

The following safeguards have been put in place to protect the health of our employees and clients.

Wait in Your Car. Clients with appointments should wait in their cars as our lobby waiting areas are closed. Clients may get in line 10 minutes before their appointment and must keep 6 feet of distance from other clients. We also recommend clients bring an umbrella and water.

Come to Your Appointment Alone. Clients should arrive for their appointment alone, as guests will not be permitted. The only exceptions will be caretakers of elderly clients, translators for clients who speak languages other than English, Spanish or Creole, and interpreters for hearing-impaired clients.

Wear a Face Mask and Follow Social Distancing. Anyone entering our offices shall wear a face mask or cloth face covering. Please observe all social distancing measures including markings on sidewalks and inside our offices. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between clients and employees.

Avoid Paying by Cash. Studies show cash, specifically paper bills, can contain bacteria and viruses for long periods of time. Clients are asked not to use cash to make a payment. Please pay by check, credit/debit card or contactless payment method such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Please note a 2.4% convenience fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions. This fee is collected by the vendor and not retained by our agency.

Additional Safety Measures. To protect our employees and clients, we have installed plexiglass barriers at all front counter service stations. As an extra precaution, clients should use their own hand sanitizer before entering our office. Clients should also use hand sanitizer after leaving our office.

New Procedure for Remote Driving Tests

The state has implemented a new remote driving test procedure for all tax collectors. The new procedure enables an examiner to maintain proper social distancing while administering the test.

The examiner will administer the test from outside the vehicle using a hands-free device while communicating instructions to the driver. Clients taking the remote driving test must have an accompanying license driver 21 years or older in the seat closest to the driver unless the client holds a valid license from another county. The accompanying driver may not assist the client during the driving test and may not be a driving school instructor. Driving tests are by appointment only. No walk-ins will be permitted.

Stay Healthy and Vote by Mail

I urge Palm Beach County voters to sign up to vote by mail. Voters can request a Vote-by-Mail ballot online from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Return postage on Vote-by-Mail ballots is prepaid. Stay healthy and vote by mail!

IMPORTANT 2020 ELECTION DATES & DEADLINES

Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is May 29 – June 4

Let us not lose site of the fact that hurricane season begins Jun. 1. Please consider stocking up on hurricane supplies during Florida’s sales tax holiday which takes place May 29 through June 4. During this period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from Florida sales tax.

Important Dates & Deadlines