Property Tax Deadline Cuts Season’s Cheer

That jingling heard Monday wasn’t the sound of sleigh bells, but of the county’s cash registers merrily ringing in the property tax deadline.

Not that good cheer was much in evidence in the queue at the Ventura County Government Center’s tax collection window. Less-than-jolly taxpayers started forming a line 15 minutes before county employees began accepting payments at 7 a.m., and the steady stream didn’t let up as the day went on.

“You don’t want to talk to me. I’m paying a bundle, so I’m not happy,” said one unidentified and unhappy taxpayer.

As of Thursday--the most recent day for which figures were available--more than 60% of the almost $500 million in tax bills remained outstanding as reluctant taxpayers held on to their money as long as possible.

“They’re not going to get my money one minute sooner than I have to give it to them,” said Ventura insurance agent Peggy Younes, 63, one of the few people to actually walk away from a collection box with a smile on her face. “Once they’re paid, then it starts to be Christmas for me.”

The average tax bill is $2,308.85 this year. That’s almost $28 higher than the average bill the previous year and nearly 25% more than in fiscal year 1989-1990.

Still, it could be worse. Top county taxpayer Southern California Edison had to pay about $7.9 million, which is about $136,000 less than the utility paid last year.

The good news, at least as far as the county is concerned, is that delinquencies are projected to decline from last year’s 3.4% rate.

“It tends to be one of those barometers of how the local economy is going,” said Hal Pitman, county treasurer and tax collector.

If you’re one of those people who forgot to pay the first installment by yesterday’s deadline, you can expect to pay a penalty of 10% of your total tax bill.

Outside of death or serious medical emergency, there are few acceptable excuses for late payments. Not that Pitman, who wore a navy blue tie adorned with little white money bags, hasn’t heard some creative attempts.

One that made it into his hall of shame: a woman who claimed she developed the burps on the way to pay her taxes and got so embarrassed that she returned home.

“As I recall, it was not considered a documented medical emergency,” said Pitman dryly. “But [it was] a nice try.”

Transplanted Londoner Lynne Cloud bustled into the government center Monday, exclaiming in her broad Cockney accent that she had almost forgotten to pay the tax man.

“It’s a dreadful time of year to pay taxes,” she said. “There’s not much [money] left for old St. Nick.”

The second property tax installment is due April 10--just in time for Easter.