Information Regarding the Advertisement of 2009 Tax Liens
North Carolina law requires local tax collectors to annually advertise current-year
unpaid taxes levied on real estate. While it is true that some property owners may
be embarrassed to see their names in the newspaper, the advertisement of tax liens
is a very serious matter because it marks the initiation of the foreclosure process.
2009 taxes levied on real estate became past due on January 6, 2010. Several tax
notices have been mailed to the property owners listed within this advertisement.
In the case of property that has been conveyed to another, tax notices have been
mailed to the new owners as well. The owner of record as of January 6, 2010 or any
subsequent owners is responsible for the payment of taxes. Transfer of ownership
relieves the owner of record as of January 1, 2009 of the 2009 tax liability. Proration
agreements between buyers and sellers are just that – an agreement between the buyer
and seller. As far as the Tax Collector is concerned, the taxes remain unpaid and
the January 6, 2010 owner now bears the responsibility for payment according to
Session Law 2006-106. This advertisement is the first step toward the eventual foreclosure
of the real estate.
The following list contains unpaid 2009 real estate taxes (without interest) listed
by the owner of record as of January 6, 2010, along with the identifying block/lot
and address. The listing reflects payments received in the Tax Collector’s Office
through March 26, 2010. Any payment received after that date is charged advertisement
costs in addition to applicable interest. The Tax Collector’s Office has identified
parcels on which a transfer of ownership occurred during 2009 and includes parcels
involved in a transfer of ownership through January 6, 2010 with unpaid 2009 taxes.
The Tax Collector’s Office is already utilizing enforced collection methods such
as the garnishment of wages, attachment of bank accounts, levy, and impending foreclosure
action. Foreclosed property sales are listed in the legal section of the Winston-Salem
Journal and posted on the second floor of the Forsyth County Hall of Justice. View a list of upcoming foreclosure sales.
Do You Regularly Use Tax Assessment Data and Collection Data?
Take a look at our Geo-Data Explorer! Our latest version
provides all of the capabilities of our original version, but in a much faster and
easier to use format. We have also integrated the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School
Locater application into the new Geo-Data Explorer. And best of all, the basic service
is absolutely free of charge.
Payment Methods
We are pleased to offer the convenience of using credit cards and electronic-check
(e-check) as an alternative for paying property taxes. To pay your tax bill online,
visit the online tax bill services page. There are two
ways to pay online, by check or by credit card. Each of these transactions has associated
costs that must be paid. There is no provision under North Carolina law that allows
a local government to extract the cost of this service directly from the property
tax payment. After reviewing several alternatives, the most sensible approach to
the payment of our costs is to ask the users of the service pay a convenience fee.
If you find the convenience fee to be unacceptable, you may still mail your payment
via check or money order or pay in person with cash, check or money order during
our normal hours of operation. A payment deposit box is located on the outside wall
facing Chestnut Street near the parking deck entrance of the Forsyth County Government
Center.