Glossary of Terms
OCR Code
The OCR code is located in the coupon section of the tax statement. The coupon is designed to be detached along the perforated line and returned with your payment.
The OCR code contains information used to process your tax statement. When your tax statement is received, the Treasurer's staff uses automated equipment, including a OCR code scanner, to efficiently identify your schedule number and the amount of taxes due. The Treasurer's database is accessed (on the County's mainframe computer system) to obtain detailed information required to validate your payment, update your records and credit your account with the amount received.
To assure that your account is accurately processed, please do not mark or alter the OCR code area.
Doing Business As
This is the business name known to Jefferson County and contained in the Treasurer's database. Contact the Treasurer's office if this name changes or needs corrections.
Financial Institution
The code in the box labeled "FIN. INST." identifies the financial institution that is scheduled to pay your annual property taxes. The name of the financial institution is displayed near the middle of the tax statement, usually in a sentence similar to "A copy of your tax notice has been sent to (your financial institution's name)".
Legal Description
This area of the tax statement contains information on record with the Jefferson County Treasurer's Office that describes the geographic location of your property.
There are two components: the sec.twn.rng. description and the .book.page description.
Sec.Twn.Rng.Qtr. Sq. Ft. Land
Your subdivision and or subdivision filing number will be displayed on the first line here (if appropriate).
The next line displays the legal identification of your property in geographic terms, as follows:
SQ. FT. LAND - this is not part of the legal description, but, if displayed, indicates the total area of the property in terms of square feet. This value is determined by the County Assessor's office.
Every property may not have all of the above elements in their legal description.
Key.Bookpage
This information identifies where your property's deed (and/or other legal document) is filed with the county (usually with the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's Office).
Previously, book and page were used to actually define a physical book in which all deeds were manually recorded. Now this is used as a reference number to locate the information in the County's computer system.
Mailing Address
This is the postal address on record with Jefferson County. It is maintained by the Assessor's Office and used by the Treasurer's Office, and other offices as well. . All correspondence and notices will be sent to this location. The mailing address may be different than the "property location".
Please be sure to contact the Assessor's Office if this address changes or is not correct. All changes must be submitted in writing to the Assessor's Office.
Payment or Tax Payment
This information is located on the Coupon portion of the tax statement. The coupon is designed to be detached at the perforated line and included with your payment to assure prompt and accurate processing.
The total tax bill can be paid in two payments. The first payment (the "First Half") is due on the due date shown.
If you wish to pay the full amount rather than paying with two payments, submit the amount shown under "Full Amount" by the DUE date shown.
If you submit the "first half" payment, another statement will be mailed in May for the "second half" amount due.
Refer to the Important Dates page for more information about the schedule of dates concerning tax payment and collection.
If payments are not received by the DUE dates, your tax will be subject to delinquent interest and fees and other legal costs. Refer to Tax Sale Information and FAQ for more information.
Property Location
This is the address of the property for the associated schedule number.
Property Valuation
This information is determined by the County Assessor's Office, and is presented on the tax statement for your information only.
- Actual Land and Building - describes the total $amount of the property, including improvements (buildings, etc.) located on the property.
- Assessed Land and Building - describes the dollar amount used to compute the tax .
- Residential Property: 7.96%, All Other Property: 29.0% -represents what percentage of the Actual Land and Building is assessed for tax computation. The resulting amount is represented in the Assessed Land and Building amount described above.
Please contact the Assessors Office for more information about how property is assessed or if you have questions about your assessment or valuations.
Schedule Number
The Schedule Number is used by the county staff to identify a specific property. Every property has a unique schedule number.
Use this number when contacting the Treasurer's Office. This will assist the staff with quickly and accurately obtaining information needed to assist you.
Schedule/SID/Unpaid Tax
Your tax statement may not show all or any of these items. This information is printed on the coupon portion of the tax statement. The coupon is designed to be detached at the perforated line and returned with your payment to assist in the accurate and prompt processing of your payment.
Schedule No.
Uniquely identifies your property. Click Schedule No. for more information.
SID
This indicates the Special Improvement District identification number that is associated with your property. This will be blank if not needed.
A Special Improvement District is an area that is undergoing some type of improvement such as road paving or new water and sewer lines.
A SID may also represent a special assessment that has been added to your tax bill for purposes of collecting delinquent water and sewer charges or other fees of a city or special distict. These fees are by state law certitifes to the county Treasurer for collection.
Unpaid Tax Lien
If there are taxes still due , the tax year and Lien Number will be displayed.
Prior Year Taxes Due
The sentence "Prior Year Taxes Due" will appear on the tax statement if taxes are delinquent but the property has not yet gone to the tax lien sale.
Tax District
This number identifies the Tax District associated with your property.
Tax Districts are unique geographical groups of the tax authorities that provide the services for a specific location and have the power to levy taxes on that location.
Totals
- Total Tax Levy - the total of the items in the Tax Levy column.
(click here for more information about the tax levy items)
- Original Bill: - describes the amount from the current or previous tax bill. This item may not be displayed on your bill.
- Total Due: - the total tax due. This is the total of all the items in the Tax Amount column. This may also be displayed as "Full Amount Due April 30" on some statements.
- Balance Good Thru - the Total Due (the total tax) must be received by the Treasurer's Office by this date. If not paid by this date, the Total Due may change to reflect delinquent interest or other penalties.
2009 Payable 2010
During the year county taxes are determined by the County Assessor's Office. In December the taxes are approved ("certified") by the Tax Authorities and the County Commissioners. Beginning in January, it is the Treasurer's responsibility to collect and distribute the taxes as levied.
"2009 Payable 2010" indicates that the tax statement is a bill for the year 2009 tax that is to be paid in the year 2010.
Refer to Important Dates for more information about the schedule of events related to tax payments.
Last Modified:
Jun 8, 2011 08:36 AM
