Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Information

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1. How are the taxes determined on my property?

2. When are current year taxes due?

   • Do you accept Postmarks?

3. What method of payment will you accept?

4. Where do I make payment?

5. What if I do not get a bill?

6. Why didn't I get a bill?

7. What if my mailing address changes?

8. What is the fee if my current year tax payment is late?

9. I just bought this property, so why am I being billed for last year's taxes?

10. When I buy property, how do I know the tax status?

11. After buying a new property, will I receive the next tax statement?

12. What if a mortgage company pays my taxes?

13. What if you receive payments from several parties?

14. What if I am unable to pay my property taxes?

15. What do you mean by real and personal property?

1. Q: How are the taxes determined on my property?
   
   A: The amount of taxes payable annually on a property is the result of the  assessment process and the total mill levies for the taxing authorities that provide public services.
   
   The County Assessor establishes the value of all property for tax purposes. Taxing authorities use the assessed value to determine their mill levies. A mill is 1/10th of a penny or $1.00 revenue for each $1,000 of assessed valuation. Information concerning the tax levy can be obtained by contacting the governing boards of the taxing entities.
   
   The actual value as determined by the assessor is multiplied by a rate set by the legislature to arrive at an assessed value. The actual tax amount due is calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the tax mill levy for each taxing authority within the tax district.
   
   Sample tax calculation:
   Actual value: $150,000
   Assessment rate .0796
   Assessed value = 11,940(150,000 X .0796)
   Tax district mill levy 91.2120
   Amount of taxes =1,089.07 (11,940 X .091212)
   
   
2. Q: When are current year taxes due?
   
   A: You have your choice of paying the taxes in one payment or in two separate payments. If you choose to pay all the taxes at once, the taxes are due by April 30th (deadline date). If you chose to pay in two separate payments, the first half is due by February 28 (deadline date), and the second half is due by June 15 (deadline date).
   
   Do you accept postmarks?
   Yes, we do accept Postal Service postmarks showing that the payment was mailed on the payment deadline date.Where a payment is received through the mail or a common carrier but has no United States Postal Service postmark and the payment is actually recived in the Treasurer'soffice no later than five days after the due date, the Treasurer shall record the date of payment as the due date of payment. If it is received six or more days after the due date the Treasurer shall record the date as the date the payment was received.  If the due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the payment is due the next business day.
   
   
3. Q: What method of payment will you accept?
   
   A: We accept cash, checks, money orders, cashier's checks or certified funds. We do not accept foreign checks. You may pay online by credit card (2.4% fee) or online by bank payment (no fee) using the Treasurer tax payment search application. 
   
   
4. Q: Where do I make payment?
   
   A: Payments may be mailed to the Jefferson County Treasurer's Office, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 2520, Golden, CO 80419-2520. To ensure accurate posting, please include the appropriate payment coupon for each property and write the property schedule number on your check. Please do not tape or staple correspondence to the check or coupon.
   
   Payments may also be made in person at the Treasurer's office at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 2520, Golden, CO 80419 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (map). Or payments may be dropped into our payment drop box located in a drive through on the east side of building at 100 Jefferson County Parkway(just beyond both parking structures).
   
   
5. Q: What if I do not get a bill?
   
   A: You are still responsible for paying your taxes, and will be charged late fees if not paid on time. If you do not receive a tax notice by January 31, please contact our office and a duplicate bill will be sent to you.
   
   
6. Q: Why didn't I get a tax bill?
   
   A: There could be several reasons for not receiving a tax bill. If you have moved and have not notified the Assessor's Office with a change of address or, if you have recently purchased the home.
   
   
7. Q: What if my mailing address changes?
   
   A: You are responsible for changing your mailing address with the Assessor's  Office. All changes must be submitted in writing to the Assessor's Office.
   
   
8. Q: What is the fee if my current year tax payment is late?
   
   A: Per state statute, a 1% late fee is charged for each month the property taxes are late. Taxes sold at the tax lien sale are subject to interest charges as prescribed by statute.
   
   
9. Q: I just bought this property, so why am I being billed for last year's taxes?
   
   A: Taxes levied on real and personal property are a perpetual lien on the property without respect to ownership and have priority over all liens until they are paid in full. The settlement of who has the tax liability rests with the buyer and seller. Generally, at the closing the title company will collect a pro rata share of the current year's taxes from the seller and credit it to the buyer. Please review your closing papers.
   
   
10. Q: When I buy property, how do I know the tax status?
    
    A: Per state statute, a Certificate of Taxes Due is required for all property transactions. This document which provides both the buyer and seller all current taxing information is issued by the Treasurer for $10.00.
    
    
11. Q: After buying a new property, will I receive the next tax statement?
    
    A: If you bought property in the last half of the year, the former owner may receive the statement. The County Assessor requires time to process your recorded deed. Please contact the Treasurer's Office, if you have not received a property tax statement by the end of January and we will send a new one.
    
    
12. Q: What if a mortgage company pays my taxes?
    
    A: Colorado Revised Statutes mandate that the Treasurer mail the Property Tax Statement to the owner of record, as their name and address are listed on the Tax Roll certified by the County Assessor.
    
    The Treasurer does not keep track of your mortgage company or if you have one. Therefore, your mortgage company does not receive a copy of the Property Tax Statement. Mortgage companies perform their own research on the property taxes or contact our office for the taxes which they are responsible for paying. If you feel your mortgage company needs a copy of your Property Tax Statement, simply send them a photocopy with your loan number.
    
    
13. Q: What if you receive payments from several parties?
    
    A: If you and your mortgage company or if your mortgage company and a title company submit a payment, the Treasurer will process the first payment received and return the subsequent payment to the paying party. The Treasurer does not hold or apply additional monies.
    
    
14. Q: What if I am unable to pay my property taxes?
    
    A: Property taxes are based on value only, and not the property owner's ability to pay. Property taxes become delinquent June 16th. Real property tax liens are sold at tax sale held annually in October.
    
    If they are sold at the tax lien sale, you have three (3) years to redeem (pay) the tax lien. If you do not redeem within 3 years, the tax lien buyer could file for a Treasurer's deed to your property.
    
    
15. Q: What do you mean by real and personal property?
    
    A: Real property is considered to be property that is permanently fixed in nature (land and improvements on the land). Improvements include all structures, buildings, fixtures, fences, and water rights. Personal Property is generally a portable or moveable item such as equipment, fixtures or furniture used in the production of income in a business.

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Last Modified: Sep 14, 2011 08:51 AM