New Castle County tax payments will be accepted tomorrow in Middletown.
That is just one of the options created to help residents avoid late fees, county officials say.
“Beyond not raising taxes over the 12 years of my administration,” County Executive Thomas P. Gordon said, “we improved tax transparency, made bills easier to read and added ways to replace lost bills, make payments, get questions answered and avoid late fees.”
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, payments may be made in the Recreation Center at Appoquinimink Library at 651 N. Broad St., Middletown, using cash, check, money order or PIN debit card.
Sept. 30 is the deadline to pay New Castle County property taxes – and State of Delaware school taxes that the county is required to collect. By law, penalties on unpaid balances start Oct. 1 with a 6-percent penalty, according to the county Office of Finance. An additional 1 percent is charged each month thereafter.
Property owners who lost or failed to receive bills may download duplicates by accessing parcel records at www.nccde.org/parcelview, which lists past payments and charges for property, school, light and crossing guard taxes. Those needing more information may call the county tax billing information line, (302) 323-2600.
State school taxes and county taxes may be paid with single checks or money orders to “New Castle County” using return envelopes sent with tax bills. Those who print duplicate bills may send payment to New Castle County Taxes, P.O. Box 430, Claymont, DE 19703.
Payments also are accepted at the New Castle County Government Center at 87 Read’s Way near New Castle, where hours are being extended for residents’ convenience. Cash, check, money order, Discover Card and PIN debit card payments are accepted at the government center payment window, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. On Thursday, Sept. 29, and Friday, Sept. 30, the payment window will stay open to 6 p.m.
Payments also may be deposited in a 24-hour drop-box at the government center main entrance.
In addition to paying by mail or in person, residents may pay by phone with small fees. The county accepts payment by Discover Card at (302) 323-2600, with the card company charging fee based on amounts paid.
Paymentus, a third-party company that accepts payments, charges a service fee of 2.5 percent of payment totals. Paymentus – taking Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and electronic checks – may be accessed by a link on the county website www.nccde.org or, toll-free, at (877) 225-7351. All questions about Paymentus are handled by its Customer Contact Center at (800) 420-1663.