Richmond County tax commissioners sends message on what taxpayers need to know

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Tax paying time at Augusta's Municipal Building it's not everyone's happy time.

"Oh yeah, I'm so happy my bill went up $240 dollars. Very not happy," said Linda Bargeron.

Thousands of property owners are paying more this year, but that is not due to the mayor and commissioners...it's due to a 14 percent tax increase imposed by the Richmond County School Board.

"The Richmond County Commission decided to do the full rollback which should provide some relief from the commission side of the tax bill so we're not responsible for what the school board does," said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

For property owners it pays to be the early bird. Richmond County offers a one percent discount if you pay before October 10th.

"Richmond County is one of the only if not the only counties in the state of Georgia that does that so take advantage of that," said Richmond County Tax Commissioner Chris Johnson.

"I did take advantage of that because that cut me like five bucks, you're right, I took advantage of the one percent discount," said William Joyce.

But Johnson also telling taxpayers to be on their toes because the office only sends tax bills by mail.

"If you receive a text, if you receive a phone call, if you receive an email, it did not come from our office, give us a call and let us investigate," said Johnson.

The deadline for paying taxes is November 18th to avoid paying penalties.