Johnston County Treasurer Rana Smith

I am honored to have dedicated 29 years of service to Johnston County, 21 of which have been as County Treasurer.  Engaging in work I am passionate about while serving my community is truly rewarding. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me as your County Treasurer. - Rana Smith

 

TAXES

Tax statements are mailed in November or early December. If you do not receive your statements by mid-December, please contact our office immediately. Please verify that you have received all of your statements and that everything is correct. However failure to receive a tax statement does not exempt any person who is subject to taxation from paying taxes. O.S.68 1997 ss 2915. 

The County Assessor determines property values. If you have any questions concerning your assessment, please contact the County Assessor’s Office.

Taxes must be paid in full or half by December 31. If you choose to pay half, you must pay the first half by December 31 and the second half if due by March 31. We do not mail second half statements. Statements that are $25 or less must be paid in full. If your taxes are not paid by December 31, penalty accrues at 1-1/2 percent per month until taxes are paid. Penalty on second half starts in April and accrues at 1-1/2 percent per month until taxes are paid in full. Some counties grant a 15-day grace period. In these counties penalty and interest accrue from the 16th of the month. 

If you enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope, your receipts will be mailed back to you. You may also print your receipt online by locating your tax item(s) and clicking on your name. Please allow 5-7 days for payments to be reflected online. If you need assistance with our website, please contact the County Treasurer's Office or the webmaster.

MORTGAGES/ESCROW ACCOUNTS

If your mortgage company is responsible for paying your taxes through an escrow account, the statement will be sent directly to the mortgage company. You will not receive a statement. If you receive a tax statement that should be paid by your mortgage company please forward it to them immediately. Most mortgage payments are not received in our office until the end of December and may not be credited until the first part of January. To verify that your taxes have been paid, locate your tax item(s) online and click on the tax amount. You can also print a tax receipt for your own records using this website.

JUNE RESALE

The County Treasurer must hold a tax resale to sell any real estate for which the county has a held a tax lien for three full years. A tax resale involves the outright purchase of property on which taxes are delinquent for a period of 3 years and a deed is issued to the highest bidder for cash for the property.

The tax resale is held each year on the second Monday of June in the County Treasurer’s office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. This property is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Bid begins with the amount of all delinquent taxes, penalties, fees and costs.

In the event no purchase is made, the remainder property is deeded to the County.

COMMISSIONER’S SALE

The County Treasurer may sell property deeded to the county after a Tax Resale upon receiving a bid on that property. The sale is subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners, which has the power to reject any and all bids.

Any bidder must place a deposit with the County Treasurer’s office to cover the cost of advertising the sale.

At the sale, the property is auctioned to the highest bidder for cash. Before closing the sale, the successful bidder must pay any additional costs of advertising and County Clerk's recording fees not covered by the deposit. (If these costs are less than the deposit, the difference will be refunded to the bidder.)