Northampton County to Tax Delinquents: Pay up or Else

Above is page 1 of the 517 page County list of back taxes. Over $2 million is owed. Click on the image to access the full document.

By KAREN JOLLY DAVIS
Cape Charles Wave

August 16, 2012

Northampton County’s new stand on back taxes is far-reaching: pay up or face seizure of assets, garnishment of wages, garnishment of bank accounts, or liens on property — and no payment plans or relief will be offered.

“We are not trying to cause difficulties in people’s lives, but we are trying to get their attention,” said Northampton County Administrator Katie Nunez at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

Nunez said “tax delinquency” is defined as not having paid that year’s assessment by December 5. First, she said, the County treasurer will send out notices to those who are delinquent. They will have 30 days to pay, after which the sheriff can be sent with a warrant to seize property.

Supervisors Oliver Bennett and Willie Randall were clearly uncomfortable with the harshness of the new policy.

“What happens if an elderly couple miss a tax payment?” asked Bennett. “Within a month, do they lose their car?”

Nunez replied that authority for collecting taxes lies solely with the County treasurer, implying that the supervisors have no control over the policy. Northampton has “extra tools” that have not been used so far, she said, and the staff intends to use them.

“We are going down the list by the greatest amounts owed,” said Nunez. “Tax delinquents need to understand that continuing to delay solving the problem will get you in more trouble.”

The entire list of 13,202 Northampton County delinquent taxpayers is available here. All told, $2,089,045 is owed.

The list has some interesting entries:

Bay Creek LLC owes multiple taxes for its real estate, landscaping, and marina businesses.

Tavi Holdings LLC owes multiple taxes for real estate and business equipment from 2008-2011.

Bank of America owes $2,182 for 2011 real estate tax.

Shore Bank owes $541 real estate tax for 2010 and 2011.

Wachovia Bank owes $1,329 for 2010 real estate tax.

OTHER COUNTY TAX LISTS

Top 40 Real Estate Tax Due (By Year)

Top 40 Personal Property Tax Due (By Year)

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