Jonesboro, Arkansas – Craighead County residents are running out of time to pay their personal property and real estate taxes, with the October 15 deadline quickly approaching. County officials are encouraging taxpayers to submit their payments on time to avoid additional charges.
Residents who fail to pay their taxes by the deadline will face a 10% penalty, making it important to complete payments before the cutoff date.
Craighead County Tax Collector Wes Eddington is reminding residents to be especially careful when sending payments through the mail, as delays could result in penalties even if taxpayers believe they mailed their checks on time.
According to Eddington, leaving a payment in a personal mailbox this close to the deadline carries risks because mail may not receive an official postmark for several days.
“It’s really not safe to put it in the mail now,” Eddington said. “What the taxpayer needs to do is to carry the letter into the post office and have them manually stamp the date that you drop it off.”
Getting a manual postmark at the post office can help taxpayers establish when their payments were mailed, rather than relying on regular mail collection and processing.
For residents who prefer not to use the postal service, Craighead County offers other ways to submit payments.
A payment drop box is available outside the county courthouse in Jonesboro, allowing taxpayers to leave their payments without mailing them. Another drop box is located inside the courthouse hallway.
These options provide an alternative for residents concerned about postal delays as the deadline approaches.
Taxpayers who include an email address with their payment will receive a digital receipt, giving them a record of their transaction.
Online payments are also available for those who would rather handle their tax bills electronically. However, residents choosing this method should be aware that an additional processing fee applies.
With October 15 approaching, county officials are urging taxpayers not to wait until the last moment, particularly if they plan to mail their payments.
Whether paying online, using one of the courthouse drop boxes or visiting the post office, residents should make sure their payments are submitted properly and on time.
Missing the deadline means paying an additional 10%, an expense taxpayers can avoid by taking action before October 15.
