Highlands changes property tax due dates, extends discount time

Property owners in Highlands School District have more time to pay their school property taxes at a discounted rate.

Act 75 of 2020 allows school districts to extend their property tax discount and base periods and waive penalties through June 30, 2021.

It’s at each school board’s discretion what to do, business Manager Lori Byron said at a board meeting.

Highlands School Board approved extending the deadline for 2020 taxes to be paid at discount from Aug. 31 to Sept. 30.

The discount takes 2% off school property tax bills, district spokeswoman Jennifer Goldberg said.

After Sept. 30, property taxes will be due at face value through Dec. 31.

There will be no penalty period, which would normally be in November and December and adds 5% to what’s due.

School property taxes for 2020 not paid by Dec. 31 still will be considered delinquent and subject to the addition of a 10% penalty.

The law firm of Andrews & Price, which also is the district’s solicitor, was named its delinquent tax collector in May.

The district’s tax rate is 24.88 mills. There was no change in the tax rate when the school board approved the district’s $48.5 million budget for the 2020-21 school year in June.