Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis is encouraging property owners to pay their delinquent property taxes in order to avoid the properties being sold at auction, pursuant to Title 33, Chapter 89 of the Virgin Islands Code.

Title 33 VIC allows for property to be attached and sold within 30 days of publication of the notice of delinquent taxes in local publications.  A listing of properties in delinquent payment status of ten years or more was published in local newspapers in May.  Property owners in delinquent payment status of ten years or more were required to pay their past due taxes by July 1st in order to avoid the procedural attachment and auction of their properties.

Francis is reminding affected property owners that they still have options to avoid auction of their properties.  “Property owners can either pay their balances in full or enter into an installment agreement,” he says.  “The Office of the Lieutenant Governor continues to work with property owners on payment plans that would enable them to retain their properties.  I am hopeful that property owners will explore the options available to them.”

Property owners interested in making arrangements for payment of delinquent properties are advised to contact the Office of the Tax Collector in their respective districts at (340)776-8505 on St. Thomas, 776-6737 on St. John, 773-1105 in Christiansted or 772-0120 for the Frederiksted office.  A list of the properties that have been attached in preparation for auction can be viewed at www.ltg.gov.vi.  

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