Avoid these common payment mistakes...
We want your tax payment experience to be smooth, convenient, and successful. There are a handful of common mistakes that, while easy to make, can cause you a big headache.
You’re probably thinking “I’d never do these things,” but thousands of customers make one or more of the below errors every year. Set yourself up for success in the taxation process by avoiding these most common payment mistakes.
If you have questions about…
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When paying by check, you should always include your name, address, phone number and your Property Identification Number (PIN).
Often we receive checks without a phone number or the PIN, making it difficult to process the payment or contact the customer to get more information.
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For a successful deposit, banks reference and require the legal line (the line where you write out the amount being paid) to be completed. The amount written on the legal line is what the bank will permit our Office to withdraw.
Please ensure the amount written on the legal line is for the balance due shown on your property tax bill.
Oftentimes customers incorrectly assume it is the numeric box (where you write the dollar amount) on the check that a bank references. If the payment, for example, is $2,200 and the legal line says “two two hundred dollars,” missing the word “thousand,” the bank will only allow a withdraw of $200, regardless of what is in the numeric box. This causes a processing delay and almost always requires our team to reach out to the customer for a replacement check.
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If you’re going to mail your payment to us, please make sure you’re using the mailing address shown on the remittance coupon.
We use a lockbox, a high-volume payment processing method, to receive payments. Each lockbox has a unique mailing address. Often customers send payments for their home to the address intended for vehicles, or vice versa. This delays payment processing and may prevent your payment from being received correctly.
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The amount showing due in the red “balance due” box on your bill is what is owed. Please remit a payment for that amount.
Oftentimes a customer sends a payment for a different amount than what is owed. Our office is prohibited by South Carolina state law from accepting partial payments and overpayments would result in you waiting for a refund. Please pay only what is due to avoid headaches and delays.
These mistakes can be avoided all-together when you sign up for myBeaufortCounty.
The benefits of myBeaufortCounty include…
Your bills are delivered wherever you are without relying on the Post Office.
Manage all your tax bills in one place, with easy access to copies of your bills and receipts.
Receive notifications and reminders about important deadlines so you never miss a payment.
Pay your property taxes or schedule future payments easily and securely.