Tax Assessor Roy Martin said Tuesday night that tax clearance letters are one method property owners can use as proof of payment for delinquency notices. “In any instance where a property owner has been issued a delinquency notice, that property owner can present a tax clearance letter to the Finance Department or the office of the Tax Assessor as conclusive proof of payment. ”

Martin apologized to the public for any undue anxiety and inconvenience caused by the receipt of delinquency letters. “I ask for the public’s continued patience as the property tax office works diligently to clean up data records, a move in the direction of implementing a fully-computerized system which I am confident when completed, will improve our levels of customer service.” Martin explained that this is a problem that has existed for years and “we are working to correct many of these issues during the period of time in which the government is transitioning the collection of property taxes from the Finance Department to the Tax Assessor’s office.” 

The Office of Tax Assessor, Martin added, is aware that inaccurate notices may have been issued to property owners. “I encourage anyone having questions about the tax status of their property or who believe that they have been wrongly reported as delinquent, to visit the Collections Office at the Finance Department to provide proof of payment or contact the Tax Assessor’s Office to request copies of bills for individual tax years.” 

“My office is reviewing all administrative options to add certainty to real estate transactions and to insure that both purchasers and property owners have assurances that they are taking title free and clear of any possible tax problems years later.”