Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP (LGB&S) has mailed 33,997 final warning letters to property owners who have failed to pay $105,608,806 in delinquent property taxes on behalf of the County, City of Dallas, Dallas ISD, and 30 other local governments. The letter signals that taxpayers need to pay up or face serious consequences. Property owners receiving letters from LGB&S owe delinquent property taxes to:
- Dallas County
- City of Dallas
- Dallas ISD
- Dallas County Community College District
- Parkland Hospital District
- Dallas County Schools
- Addison
- Balch Springs
- Carrollton
- Cedar Hill
- Cedar Hill ISD
- Cockrell Hill
- Desoto
- Desoto ISD
- Duncanville
- Duncanville ISD
- Farmers Branch
- Glen Heights
- Grand Prairie
- Grand Prairie ISD
- Hutchins
- Irving
- Irving Flood Control District, Sect. I
- Irving Flood Control District, Sect. III
- Lancaster
- Lancaster ISD
- Richardson
- Rowlett
- Sachse
- Seagoville
- Sunnyvale
- Sunnyvale ISD
- Wilmer
John R. Ames, Tax Assessor/ Collector for Dallas County, said, “While we are proud of the fact that 98.24% of our taxpayers have paid their taxes timely, to not aggressively pursue delinquent taxpayers who don’t pay their taxes would be unfair to those who pay. My staff and I will continue to work hard to ensure everyone pays their fair share to keep our tax system fair and equitable. Our cities, schools, and county rely on tax revenue to fund local services- police and fire protection, parks, libraries, jails, and schools. Every tax dollar that is assessed is vital to local governments to maintain public services.”
Nancy Primeaux, Regional Manager for LGB&S added, “Our law firm makes every effort to work with delinquent taxpayers, so we hope those receiving the warning letter will heed the message and pay what is owed before the law firm steps up its collection efforts through lawsuits, foreclosure or business seizures. Please contact our law office so that you don’t put your property at risk.”
Property owners have ten days to pay their taxes to the Dallas County Tax Office or else they will be subject to a lawsuit or seizure. LGB&S files thousands of lawsuits and sets hundreds of properties for foreclosure and sale each year on behalf of our clients. Businesses risk having their assets seized if they fail to pay their personal property taxes. LGB&S visited 3,200 local businesses this past year targeting $32 million in back taxes. All types of businesses have been the subject of tax seizures, including:
- Jewelry Store
- Funeral Home
- Trucking Company
- Heavy Industrial Equipment
- Glass Company
- Machine Fabrication
- Piano Retailer
- Doctor’s Office
- Livestock Company
- Furniture Store
- Kitchen Cabinet Mftg.
- Industrial Crane Equipment
Ames encouraged citizens to act now by saying, “We want businesses to keep operating and homeowners to protect their property. Businesses need to pay their taxes before we come knocking on their doors with law enforcement officials. We would rather work with taxpayers to help them meet their tax obligations, and avoid efforts that would take their property away. Legal enforcement is used as a last resort when the taxpayer ignores or refuses to pay. Waiting to get sued or seized will only cost the taxpayer more in the end.”
Senior citizens, aged 65 or older, and disabled homeowners (as determined by the federal Social Security Administration) may secure their homesteads against tax suit and sale by filing a deferral affidavit. This over 65 tax deferral affidavit can only be obtained and filed at your appropriate appraisal district office. However, even with an approved deferral, the tax will continue to accrue and must be paid before the property is sold or transferred.
Ames stressed, “Pay your taxes today. We are hopeful that all our taxpayers will heed this final warning. Our local governments are depending on our citizens to do the right thing.”
Taxes can be paid on-line by visiting the Dallas County website at www.dallascounty.org.
