November 2021, Vol. 15, Issue 11

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Dear Friends:

‘Tis the season!  Not quite the holiday season, but for us in the tax collector’s office, tax season is officially upon us.  Our office has been planning and preparing for this and our goal is to provide you with the exceptional service you have come to expect from us.  But the reality is, our phones will be busy, our appointment times will fill early and the volumes of mail coming into our office will be substantial.  We stand ready to process your tax payments quickly and efficiently.  Having been through many, many tax seasons, I can offer some best practices to help you during this busy time.

• Pay online!  This is the easiest and quickest way to make your tax payment from the comfort of your home, office or even the beach!  Just visit www.pbctax.com/pay-online to make your payment.
• Use your bank’s bill pay service to have your payment made directly from your bank account to us.
  Please be sure to include your PCN or ACCOUNT NUMBER found at the top of your bill.
• You can visit any of our six service centers during business hours (M-F, 8:15 am – 5:00 pm) and drop your payment in our convenient drop box located inside each location, no appointment needed.
• You can also do a wire transfer to pay your taxes.  Just visit www.pbctax.com/wires for details.

As you can see, we offer many time-saving alternatives to paying your taxes by mail or by appointment and I encourage you to use one of these options.  Remember, the earlier you pay your property tax, the greater the money-saving discount you can take advantage of.  Saving time and money is something we can all use.

Sincerely,

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

EARLY PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS = SAVINGS

As your property tax bills will arrive after November 1, we encourage taxpayers to take advantage of early payment discounts. Remember, if you pay your taxes by November 30, you will save 4%! Discounts are determined by the date they are postmarked or processed online. Don’t forget property taxes become delinquent if not paid by March 31.

What if I didn’t receive my property tax bill? How can I get a copy?

If you haven’t received your bill by November 15, you can view or print your property tax bill at www.pbctax.com. Always keep your mailing address up to date with the Property Appraiser’s Office. This will ensure proper delivery of your tax bill by mail. Under Florida law, a tax bill cannot be forwarded without a forwarding address.

Per Florida Statute 197.122 failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve anyone from paying taxes by the due date.

IS YOUR MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT UP TO DATE?

From Ocean Boulevard along the coast, to Southern Boulevard out to Lake Okeechobee, Palm Beach County has so many scenic roadways that motorists love to cruise! If you enjoy a scenic drive by any type of motorcycle, scooter, sidecar, or three-wheeler, and it has an engine of 50 ccs or more, our team is ready to assist you with ensuring that you have the required endorsement on your Florida state driver license.

If you already have the endorsement on your driver license, no further action is needed- it is a lifetime endorsement. For those clients who don’t have it, and to ensure compliance, you will need at least a regular Class E operator’s driver license, and complete a Basic Rider Course (BRC), 3 Wheel Basic Rider Course (3WBRC) or Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP) motorcycle safety course. In Palm Beach County, there are several course providers that offer these programs: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/motorcycle-rider-education-endorsements/safety-course-locations/

After completing the appropriate course you’re ready to make an appointment at one of our six service center locations; keep in mind you must make your appointment within a year of completing your safety course. The endorsement costs $7.00, plus additional processing fees associated with issuing a replacement license. Once you have the endorsement added to your license, it is good for life.

A LASTING MEMENTO OF OUR NATION’S THANKS

It is my honor to recognize Palm Beach County’s Vietnam War Veterans. I am offering Vietnam Veterans a special commemorative lapel pin as my way of saying a heartfelt “thank you” for their service and sacrifice to our country. This is the second year we have participated in this special partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

Our office is honored to provide one pin to local veterans or their families in honor of their military service in Vietnam. This is the official pin of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, authorized by Congress to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Requests can be made by completing a request form online at www.pbctax.com.  Your pin along with my personal letter of appreciation will be mailed.  Pins are available now through Veterans Day, November 11.  Veterans are only eligible to receive one pin; therefore, if you previously received your commemorative pin, no need to request again.  We thank you for your service.