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Tax - Billing and Collections

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1. How do I change my address with your office?

Change of address forms can be found on our website https://www.onslowcountync.gov/FormCenter/Tax-Office-6/Address-Change-Request-103 . 

Please complete and submit on-line or print and return to our office at 234 NW Corridor Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28540. 

A change of address may also be emailed to:  AddressChange@OnslowCountyNC.gov

2. I received a ***Final Notice of Past Due Property Taxes***. What does this mean?

The notice provides an amount that remains outstanding on this parcel.  

If you have additional questions please call our office at 910-989-2202.

3. What will happen if I cannot pay my bill on time?

REAL PROPERTY tax bills that remain unpaid have interest that accrues at 2% interest the first month and 3/4% interest each month thereafter.  

Taxes that remain unpaid are a lien against the property and are subject to foreclosure, bank attachment, garnishing of wages, and levy of personal property to be sold to satisfy the taxes.

PERSONAL PROPERTY tax bills that remain unpaid have interest that accrues at 2% interest the first month and 3/4% interest each month thereafter. 

Personal taxes that remain unpaid are subject to bank account attachment, garnishment of wages, attachment of your state income tax refund, or levy of your personal property which may be sold to satisfy the tax bill.

4. I paid with a credit card. Why the additional fee?

Credit card companies charge a convenience fee to process your credit card transaction.  

Typically credit card processing fees are absorbed by the company with whom you do business, however due to North Carolina Statutes, Onslow County does not have the authority to absorb this cost.

5. Can I pay my tax bill by credit or debit card at the tax office?

Yes, you may pay your tax bill by credit card or debit card on our website or in person at the tax office. There is a processing fee for this service. If you pay in our office, staff is required to ask for another form of identification. You may also pay by electronic check online or by phone. There is also a processing fee for paying by electronic check. To make payments online visit our website at http://www.onslowcountync.gov/taxpayments Listing forms can also be dropped off in the Tax Office Drop box, located by the entrance to the Onslow County Government Center. Please do not place cash in the drop box.

6. Why does Onslow County advertise tax liens on real property?

We are required by State Statute to advertise all outstanding real property bills in the local newspaper. 

Taxes are advertised in the name of the person that owned the property on the date taxes became delinquent, January 6th of each year.

7. What is this letter I received that refers to a Debt Setoff?

The debt setoff is a form of enforcement in  which the  North Carolina Department of Revenue is notified of your debt and any income tax refund or lottery winnings due to you will be attached to pay the bill. 

The state will also charge a fee of 5.00 as well as an administrative fee of 15.00.

8. Why have you taken my state tax refund when I have already paid my bill?

Once we receive the money from your refund through the debt set off program, we will apply this money to any delinquent taxes that you may have.

If all delinquent taxes have been paid, a refund of the overpayment received from the State will be issued to you.

9. Why did I receive a letter for both debt setoff and wage garnishment or bank attachment?

Any debt that is past due is subject to all enforcement measures. 

Please refer to the instruction sheet enclosed with your debt setoff letter.  

The hearing officer has indicated in the instruction sheet that this letter does not keep you from having other collection enforcement measures taken against you. 

The purpose of the letter is to allow you 30 days to object to the refund being attached. You must have a valid reason for an objection  (such as: not your tax bill or never  lived in Onslow.)

10. Does Onslow County sell tax liens?

No, the option to sell tax liens was abolished by the legislature in 1983.

11. Can I make monthly payment arrangements?

Optional Pre-Payment plans are available for REAL Property tax bills only, however this must be done prior to the bill becoming delinquent. This facilitates monthly payments to ensure that taxes are paid before they become past due on January 6th.

12. I need to pay my bill but I am out of town.

You may go to the Onslow County Website and pay online using a debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). There will be a transaction fee for all credit cards transactions. Go to http://www.onslowcountync.gov/taxpayments. You may also pay by E-check on our website .

13. What payment options do you offer?

Tax Payments may be made by cash, personal check, cashiers check, money order, credit cards, or debit cards. Debit cards, credit cards or e-check payments may be made on-line by visiting our On-Line Tax Search, View and Pay Site at http://www.onslowcountync.gov/taxpayments

14. Where do I send my tax payment?

Please mail the bottom portion of your tax bill and check or money order to Onslow County Tax Collector, 234 NW Corridor Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28540. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH.

15. I set up payments online but my account does not show paid? Why?

Please contact our office at 910-989-2202.

16. My tax bill is paid by my mortgage company. Can I pay the bill?

If you choose to pay the tax bill and your mortgage company has an escrow account, your mortgage company will submit payment to us typically in November. If your mortgage company pays the tax bill and you have already submitted your payment, the refund will go directly back to the mortgage company . We understand that this process often takes several months for them to refund you. We recommend if you have an escrow account that you contact your mortgage company.

17. My name is misspelled on my tax bill. What do I need to do to correct it?

Please contact our Land Records Division at 910-989-2204 for questions or additional information.

18. Why have I received a refund from Onslow County Tax Administration?

Please contact our office at 910-989-2202 regarding refund inquiries.

19. What happens if my check is returned marked insufficient funds?

If your check is returned unpaid (insufficient funds, account closed, etc.) the taxes due will remain outstanding. In addition, penalties plus interest will be added to your account. A return check penalty of 10% ($25 minimum and $1000 maximum) plus any applicable interest will be applied to the total tax bill due. No personal checks will be accepted; you must pay with cash or certified funds.

20. What are the requirements for a beer/wine license?

You must be approved by the North Carolina ABC Commission before we issue a Onslow County beer/wine license. If you have not contacted the ABC Commission, please call them at 919-779-0700 or visit their website at https://abc.nc.gov/ .

21. Am I required to obtain a business license from Onslow County?

Schedule B Licenses for limited types of businesses are no longer required. Onslow County does require you to obtain a beer and wine license if it pertains to your business. You may also want to check with the City/County Inspections office to ensure you meet zoning requirements for the type of business that you are operating. Onslow County Beer/Wine License Division can be reached at 910-989-2202.

22. How can I find out if my tax bill has been paid

You can view your tax bill at http://www.onslowcountync.gov/taxpayments or contact our office at 910-989-2202.

23. How much interest is charged per month for delinquent accounts?

Real and personal property 2% the first month and 3/4% interest each month thereafter.

24. I paid my bill on time, why do you have interest on my account?

Please contact our office at 910-989-2202.

25. I did not receive a tax bill

The Tax Office makes every effort to maintain accurate mailing addresses and re-send returned mail, including bills. Please note that per NC Tax Statutes, property owners are responsible for paying taxes whether they receive a bill or not.

26. When are my personal property taxes due?

Real property and personal property taxes are due September 1 of each year, however North Carolina law allows you until January 5th to make payment without incurring interest.

27. Why did I receive a GAP property tax notice?

There was a gap in the registration of your vehicle resulting in a gap in the taxes billed. 

The registration for your vehicle previously expired. 

The vehicle registration was recently renewed or a new registration was issued. During the gap in registration, the vehicle was unregistered. 

The County is required to collect property taxes for unregistered vehicles per North Carolina General Statute 105-330.3 

For more information, see our website at: https://www.onslowcountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6954/What-is-a-Motor-Vehicle-Gap-Bill

28. Am I required to get a permit to move a mobile home?

It is unlawful for any person other than a mobile home manufacturer or retailer to remove or cause to be removed any mobile home without first obtaining a tax permit from the Tax Collector of the county in which the mobile home is situated. 

For more information, visit our website at: https://www.onslowcountync.gov/285/Mobile-Home-Moving-Permits

29. How do I get a mobile home moving permit?

Permits may obtained at the Onslow County Tax Office, Collections Division, located at 234 NW Corridor Boulevard in Jacksonville. 

In order to obtain a permit, any delinquent taxes plus estimated current year taxes must be paid. 

In the event that the mobile home was not properly listed, the home must be listed and taxes computed in order to process the permit request. 

For more information, visit our website at: https://www.onslowcountync.gov/285/Mobile-Home-Moving-Permits