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Frequently Asked Questions


Do you have a question about your property tax bill? Start by reading the Info About Property section.

Don't know the meaning of a term? Look it up in the Glossary.

If you have a question about the payment process, it may be answered in the Paying Online section.

The Trustee is the County's banker and tax collector. The Trustee, who is elected to a four year term, maintains control of County funds until they are distributed on a monthly basis to government agencies. The Trustee oversees a total annual cash flow of all county finances.

Based on property tax assessments provided by the Assessor's office and the property tax rate as set by the County Commission, the Trustee determines the amount of your property tax bill. Tax bills are mailed in October and become delinquent if not paid by the last day in February of the following year. As tax collector, the Trustee processes all tax bills and collects all money owed. 



Paying Online


1. How safe is online property tax payment?

This website uses specialized encryption to ensure that your tax payment information is secure. Actually, online payments are more secure than mailing your payment from your home postbox.


2. When will my bank account be debited for the payment?

Within 2-4 days of submission.


3. What methods are acceptable for online tax payment?

This website uses secure payment systems to process Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit and debit cards. Online checks are also accepted.


4. Why is there a convenience fee?

A convenience fee is a percentage or set amount of the transaction that is charged to the cardholder by the payment clearing house for processing credit card, debit card or e-check payments. None of these fees are retained by the County. You will have an opportunity to see what the fee will be before completing your payment. The Tennessee Trustee website is maintained by the vendor, Business Information Systems (BIS).


5. What kind of verification shows that I made my payment?

When payment is submitted, a printable receipt of the transaction will become available for immediate printing and retention for your records. This transaction receipt will contain all information about your payment(s) as well as your payment confirmation number.


6. Why do you need my e-mail address?

Along with your transaction receipt, an e-mail with the same information will be sent to you as an additional record should you have any problems after completing your payment. Within a few days of payment you will receive an e-mail that is your final confirmation of payment. This e-mail is your proof that your payment passed through the processor’s bank and has been deposited in the County Trustee’s bank account. KEEP AND FILE THIS RECORD! Your e-mail address will never be sold or transferred to outside parties for any reason except as applies to this transaction.


7. What do I do with my confirmation number?

Store your confirmation number in a safe place. It is a secure reference to your transaction and will be needed to access any payment information.


8. What is the due date for tax payments received online?

All taxes should be paid before the date due shown on your bill. The time and date shown on your confirmation page is the actual date and time of payment.


9. How will I know if my taxes were received before the due date?

Payments may be made up until 11:59 p.m. on the date payment is due. The date displayed on the confirmation page is recognized as the date of payment.

About Property


1. When are property tax bills mailed out      

Property tax bills are mailed October of each year. They are mailed to the owner of record (as of 1 January). If a deed change occurs after the first of the year, a tax bill will be mailed to the new owner of the property as a courtesy. New owners should contact their title company or review their closing statement to determine who is responsible for paying the taxes. Payment of property tax depends on when the property is transferred. Unpaid taxes continue to accrue against the property.

2. What time of year are property taxes due?

Taxes are due and payable the first Monday in October through the last day of February of the following year without interest charges.

3. Are partial payments accepted for my taxes?

Partial payments can be made on the current year's taxes, as long as taxes are paid in full by the February due date. You may begin making payments when you receive your tax notice. Beginning March 1, partial payments will be accepted, but interest will be added to the total due.*

*Not all counties accept partial payments

4. What happens if I miss the tax payment deadline?

From the first day of each month beginning 1 March, interest of 1.5 percent per month (18 percent annually) is added to your tax amount . If the Post Office fails to postmark your payment by the dates due, it is considered a late payment. This applies even if you mail your payment on time. For mail-in payments, office meter dates are not accepted. Night deposit box payments dropped in are accepted as that day's deadline. Online property tax payments made through the BIS system are recognized by the county as paid on the date of the online transaction.

5. What time period do my annual taxes cover?

The taxes that become payable in October cover the current calendar year.

6. Where can my tax bill be paid in person?

The Trustee's office is located in the DeKalb County Community Complex Center at 732 S. Congress Blvd #103 Smithville, TN. 

7. What does the term "EtUx" beside my husband's name on the property bill mean?

EtUx is a Latin phrase meaning "and wife." The phrase "EtVir" means "and husband," EtAl means "and others."

8. What do some of the terms on my tax bill mean?

Check the online glossary section for definitions of terms on your tax bill.

9. Does my mortgage company get a copy of my tax bill mailed to them?

No. It is the property owner's responsibility to forward tax bills to their mortgage company. Tax bills are mailed to the property owner to review the information.

Exemptions

1. Do the elderly, disabled or disabled veterans receive any discounts or exemptions?
 

Eligibility requirements include: age/ disability; ownership/ residency; and income. To apply for property tax relief you must meet these three basic criteria - these are described below. Reimbursements for the property taxes of low-income homeowners who are elderly or disabled are provided by the state of Tennessee.  Reimbursements are given on all or part of the local taxes paid on property which the taxpayer owns and uses as his/her residence.
 

Age/ Disability
 

During the tax year for which they are applying, an elderly applicant must turn 65 on or before December 31. In order to apply as a disabled homeowner, a person must have become disabled on or before December 31 of the year.  Disabled veterans must have a total and permanent disability rating from a service-connected disability that meets certain criteria under state guidelines.  Widow(er)s of disabled veterans may be eligible as well if they meet the qualifications.  An applicant may apply if they are awaiting a decision on their disability claim. The state office must receive the final decision by June 30 following the delinquency date. The final decision must indicate their disability began on or before December 31 of the tax year.
 

Ownership/ Residency
 

An applicant must be able to document that they had ownership of the taxable property during the tax year. Ownership may be documented by a tax bill/receipt, warranty deed, probated will, title or bill of sale for a mobile home.
 

Income Requirements for Tax Relief 

Elderly, Disabled and Homeowners
 

Income Requirements for Tax Relief-- cannot exceed $33,460.00 for the year 2022 from all sources of all the living owners of record, plus the spouse of the applicant if not listed as an owner.  Annual income from all sources shall include, but is not limited to, Social Security payments after the Medicare deduction, supplemental security income, retirement and pension benefits, veteran's benefits, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, salaries and wages, alimony, total interest and total dividends. For income from a business, include only the net income or loss after expenses. 

 

Disabled Veterans and Qualified Disabled Veterans Widow(er)
 

Disabled veterans must have disabilities that meet specific criteria or specific service-connected disabilities.  Tax relief is paid on the first $175,000 of market value  The eligibility requirements for a widow or widower of a disabled veteran must also meet certain specifications.  Applications for tax relief are available in the Trustee's Office.  You may go to https://www.comptroller.tn.gov/pa/patxr.asp for more information on how to qualify for this program. You may also call your Trustee's Office for additional information.  

 

 


 

Reviewing Your Property Info

1. Is there a charge for reviewing information about my property?
 

For an individual property, there is no charge for reviewing tax information.
 

2. Is my property information viewable by other people?
 

Any individual or company is allowed to review it. Property tax information is public record.
 

Property Assessment
 

1. Where can I find information about the assessed value of my property?
 

The Assessor of Property is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of property.
 

2. How are the Assessor of Property's Office and the Trustee's Office related?
 

The Assessor of Property is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of property, according to state law. The Trustee's Office is responsible for billing and collection of taxes based on assessments. The Trustee has no authority over the amount of assessment, nor can he/she be involved in the appraisal process.
 

3. What is the appeal process?
 

Appointments can be made by contacting the Assessor of Property's Office.  The appeal process begins in the Assessor of Property's Office by appearing before the Local Board of Equalization.
 

 

 

Tax Sale Information

1. What is a tax sale?
 

An auction of parcels of property that have delinquent taxes.
 

2. What is the date and time of the annual tax sale auction?
 

Contact your Clerk & Master's office at 615-597-4360

 

3. Where will the auction/sale be advertised?
 

Local newspapers. 
 

4. When are tax sales advertised?
 

The auction list is published once approximately 2-3 weeks before the sale.
 

5. How and when do you register for the tax sale auctions?
 

All bidders are required to register at the Clerk and Master’s Office immediately before the tax sale.

 

6. Is it possible to register by mail?
 

No, you cannot register by mail.
 

7. What type of payment is required at auction?
 

Cash, check, money order or credit card (credit cards have an additional 3% user’s fee charged by the vendor for this service)
 

8. What type of bidding process is used?
 

This is an open, public auction.
 

9. Will the sales be final?
 

Yes, all sales are final at the auction.
 

10. Will all other liens be cleared from the property as a result of the sale?
 

All liens except state and federal liens are cleared.
 

11. Is there a redemption period before I can take possession once a property is acquired through your tax sale?  If so, what is the redemption period?
 

The new owner cannot take possession of the property until one year from the date the confirmation of sale is filed.
 

12. If there is a redemption period, does the investor earn interest during the redemption period? If so, what is the annual interest rate?
 

Per current law, purchaser will receive 1% interest per month on the purchase price of redeemed property.

 

13. If a foreclosure is necessary, will the county assist in this matter?
 

No. The County does not assist with foreclosures.
 

14. Will I receive a document to verify the purchase? Will it be a deed or a certificate of lien?
 

The order confirming the sale is recorded in the Register of Deeds Office following the 1 year redemption period.  This action transfers all properties sold at the tax sale to the new owners.  The buyer also receives a certified copy of the order.  Deeds are available upon request to the Clerk and Master’s Office and payment of a $20.00 fee.
 

15. Do you allow investors to invest at your tax sales without attending the tax sale?
 

No.
 

16. Is a current list of available properties or liens available?
 

The available properties are published 2-3 weeks before the tax sale. You may obtain a copy by contacting the newspaper.
 

17. Is a copy of the County and state statutes and rules regarding the tax sale available for purchase?
 

No.
 

18. Would you please place me on your mailing list if you have one?
 

The Clerk and Master’s Office no longer keeps a mailing list of interested persons for future tax sales.  Please contact the Clerk and Master’s Office regarding upcoming sales at 615-597-4360.

 

19. Can I get a list of properties whose redemption period has already expired?
 

There are no properties available.
 

20. When will the list of unsold /unbid-on property be available?
 

The property that isn't sold or not bided on go to back DeKalb County.  That list can be obtained from the County Mayor's office at 615-597-5175.