Ad Valorem Tax Facts
PAYING TAXES
Taxes are due and payable between November 1st and December 31st. Please check your tax statements IMMEDIATELY upon receiving them to make sure everything is correct and that you have received all of your statements.
If you check the box below the return address on your return envelope,a receipt will be mailed back to you.
You have the option of paying all or half. If you choose to pay half of your taxes, they must be paid by December 31st, and the second half is due by March 31st. If you have not paid your taxes by December 31st, the full amount becomes delinquent and penalty accrues at 1 ½ percent per month until taxes are paid in full. Penalty on second half starts April 1st and accrues at 1 ½ percent per month until taxes are paid in full, up to 18% per year.
Please keep in mind if you pay by mail, the high volume of mail we receive at the end of December delays our processing and your receipt will probably be dated in January.
Please Note: Second Half Statements are not mailed. You must keep the middle portion of your statement that says "Second Half Payment" and return it along with your payment by March 31st. Postmarks are accepted.
MORTGAGES/ESCROW ACCOUNTS
All mortgage companies are responsible to supply us with a complete list of all escrowed accounts. Due to the high volume of transfers and selling of loans, we do not always receive the most up-to-date list from mortgage companies.
When the tax statements are processed, all mortgage coded properties are printed and mailed to the requesting company. The remaining statements are mailed to the property owners.
If you happen to receive a tax statement that is to be paid by your escrow account, please forward it IMMEDIATELY to your mortgage company. DO NOT PAY THIS FOR THEM.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the treasurer's office, 323-2292.
HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE DIVIDED
Each statement shows a breakdown of the tax.
State law requires us to print this on each tax statement. This is to inform the taxpayer how much is contributed to the various county entities. Each school district has a different levy. That levy consist of:
2007 Levies
| County Entities |
Mills |
| County General |
10.28 |
|
County Health |
2.06 |
| County Wide 4-Mill |
4.11 |
| Multi-Co Library |
4.11 |
| TOTAL |
20.56 |
Your millage - which varies from school district to school district:
|
School District |
School Mills |
County Mills |
Vo-Tech Mills |
EMS Mills |
Total Levy |
|
Arapaho I-5 |
56.36 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
89.23 |
|
|
Thomas-Fay Custer I-7 |
59.53 |
20.56 |
80.09 |
||
|
Weatherford I-26 |
57.76 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
90.63 |
|
|
Butler I-46 |
49.65 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
3.14 |
85.66 |
|
Clinton I-99 |
56.17 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
89.04 |
|
|
Caddo JI-11 (Hydro) |
55.16 |
20.56 |
11.33 |
87.05 |
|
|
Roger Mills JI-3 (Leedey) |
41.50 |
20.56 |
3.11 |
65.17 |
|
|
Beckham JI-6 (Elk City) |
47.12 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
79.99 |
|
|
Washita JI-11 (Canute) |
46.23 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
79.10 |
|
|
Roger Mills JI-66 (Hammon) |
40.70 |
20.56 |
12.31 |
73.57 |
The total of the mills determines the levy in your school district. Multiplying the levy times each one thousand assessed value of your property calculates your tax due. If you live in the Arapaho School Dist., your 2007 levy would be 89.23. If your valuation after homestead were 5000, you would multiply .08923 times the value of 5000. Your total taxes would be $446.15.
Most of the mills are determined by state statute. They include: county general, county health, county library, county wide 4-mill (all 4-mill money goes to the schools). Each school district that includes a Vo-Tech levy is a member of the Vo-Tech district because the voters of the school district voted to become a part of the Vo-Tech.
Information about the Assessor's Office
The Custer County Assessor determines property values and provides notification of valuation. If you have any questions concerning your assessment, please contact the County Assessor's Office at (580) 323-3271.
REAL PROPERTY
Real property consists of land or a combination of land and building improvements. If you build a new building, enclose your garage, add a room, or make any major change, or improve your land, you are required by law to advise the Assessor of the change. If any part of a building has been destroyed or moved away, it should be reported to the Assessor for correction of the Assessed value. If you move from the county or change your mailing address within the county, it is your duty to notify the Assessor's Office immediately. If you are a new owner of real estate, you should contact the County Assessor's office by Oct. 1st with the correct mailing address for your statement. The Assessor certifies the taxroll to our office on approximately October 15th. If your deed is filed after that date the name on the statement is not changed until the following tax year.
EXEMPTIONS/SENIOR FREEZE
VETERAN EXEMPTIONS
A Veteran's Exemption has to be applied for in Assessor's Office. Discharge papers are required.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
If you own your home you are eligible for a Homestead Exemption. You must be living on the property Jan. 1. If you have bought a home this past year prior to Jan. 1, your deed, contract for deed, court order or decree must be recorded in County Clerk's Office on or before February 1. You may apply for Homestead Exemption anytime after you purchase your new home. Applications received after March 15 will be held until the following year. If granted a Homestead Exemption last year, it is not necessary to reapply. If your Homestead Exemption has been cancelled for non-payment of personal property taxes, you must reapply for a Homestead Exemption the following year.
DOUBLE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND SENIOR FREEZE
Oklahoma Statutes allow an extra homestead for people meeting certain income and age requirements.
If your GROSS household income is below:
- $20,000 you may qualify for a double homestead exemption
- $12,000 you may qualify for a refund IF you are 65 or older or are disabled
- If you are 65 or older you may qualify for a senior valuation freeze - Income levels vary each year
If you would like to receive the application for any of the above tax incentives or have questions about qualifying please contact the Assessor's Office.
** A copy of your income tax return is required to verify your income.
BUSINESS AND FARM PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY
All businesses must provide the office with an itemized list of assets on hand as of Jan 1st of the current year. The list must include the description of the asset, the original cost, and the year purchased. Also, any inventory for sale on January 1 must also be reported. If you have not received the forms please call 580-323-3271.
FARM PERSONAL PROPERTY
All farmers operating in Custer County must list the equipment they have on hand as of January 1st each year. When a farmer assesses his/her equipment this office will file the necessary forms for a sales tax exemption number with the Oklahoma Tax Commission. If you own agricultural land you may apply for a sales tax exemption number.
FAILURE TO PAY PERSONAL TAX
Within sixty days after April 1st, the County Treasurer mails a notice to each delinquent taxpayer informing that taxpayer that taxes are delinquent and subject to advertising if not paid. A notice is then published in the county newspaper revealing the delinquent taxpayer's name and amount due. If not paid within 30 days of publication, the delinquent taxpayer's name is placed on a Lien Docket. Said lien is against any real or personal property for 7 years from the date of the lien. Tax warrants may be issued to the County Sheriff for collection of the delinquent tax. If a warrant is issued, the Sheriff can sell any personal or real property of the delinquent taxpayer to satisfy the outstanding taxes.
