BRANDON TOWNSHIP – A few residents were left wondering where the money went when they received a property tax reminder in their mail in the last couple weeks.
Apparently, some of the money ended up in Hawaii and North Carolina.
According to Brandon Township Treasurer Linda Owen, one week before the Feb. 14 winter property tax due date, she received a phone call from a resident who said his taxes should have already been paid by their mortgage company.
According to two residents, the tax checks were mailed from their mortgage companies to the township treasurer in December.
“Within the last two days, both checks had been cashed before they even got to us,” said Owen. “The first check was from a bank in Texas but was cashed at a bank in Hawaii.”
The other check was cashed in North Carolina, she said. One check was for $2,700, while the other was less than $60.
According to Owen, a police report has been filed and an investigation is under way.
Under law, the township treasurer is required to send out reminder notices to tax payers who have not paid their taxes. As a courtesy to those who had not yet paid their winter property taxes, Owen said she had sent out reminder notices prior to the due date.
“Although some property owners have been offended by the notices, getting the reminder notice has saved taxpayers a lot of grief,” said Owen. “I think it’s a good thing and we will continue to do it.”
Owen also said partial tax payments will be accepted if the property owner calls to make arrangements.
Those who have received the reminder letter but think tax payments have already been mailed in should call the township treasurer’s office at (248) 627-2853.