February delinquent notices arrived in area mailboxes this week. Thanks to legislation passed several years ago, homeowners unable to pay their property taxes in full may sign up for a low penalty payment agreement with the tax assessor collector. Additionally, qualified seniors, disabled persons, disabled vets, spouses of disabled vets and those still recovering from Hurricane Harvey or more recent disaster (except COVID) may pay 7% penalty and interest on one-fourth of the 2020 levy by March 1st and sign up for quarter installment payments.
For those paying the 7% penalty and interest to establish quarter installments and those whom have already paid at least one-fourth, the remaining three coupons and return envelopes will be mailed within the next two weeks. The second installment must be postmarked by March 31, third by May 31 and final one-fourth by August 2 in order to be timely.
Property owners may pay in person at GCTO branches in Galveston, League City, Santa Fe and Texas City Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00 and in Friendswood Thursdays and Fridays (closed Noon to 1:00 for lunch). Yellow payment drop boxes are located all full time locations and payments are retrieved at 8:30 am daily (and stamped received the previous business day). A black payment box is also located at the back of the side driveway at Friendswood City Hall.
Payments may also be made online (www.galcotax.com) via electronic check ($1 fee) or credit card (2.5% fee) or through Chase Bank’s Payment Processing Center via telephone at 1-866-865-1433 (English) or
1-866-865-1435 (Spanish). If online banking is your preferred method of payment, expect a 3-5 day delay for paper check to be prepared and mailed to our office which could result in penalty and interest if the bank does not prepare the check the same day.
For directions to office locations call (toll free) 1-877-766-2284. Those with property tax questions or concerns should call the Property Tax Department directly at (409) 766-2481 (or call the toll free number and ask for a Property Tax Specialist). Email any GCTO Department at galcotax@co.galveston.tx.us.
