Frequently Asked Questions
Taxes
- I can't pay my taxes on time. What options do I have?
- Why did I get a tax bill for my real property if I have an escrow account with my mortgage company?
- What is the 3R fee that I see on my real property tax bill?
- What is the Chapel Hill Stormwater Management fee on my real property tax bill?
- When will my mortgage company pay my tax bill?
- When are my real and personal property taxes due?
- I sold my house a few months ago. Why did I get the bill instead of the new owner?
- I have paid my tax bill and I have received a past due notice in the mail. Why did this happen?
- I have filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 13. Do I still have to pay the new tax bill I received?
- I have received notice from my bank that the check I wrote to the tax office was returned for non-sufficient funds. What happens now?
- What do I have to do if I want to move my mobile home?
- When will I get my income tax refund?
- Are the city and county property taxes I pay deductible on my state or federal income tax return?
- Where do I pay my “animal taxes” for my dog or cat?
Ambulance Billing
- I thought this service was covered in my tax bill, no one ever told me there was a charge.
- I didn’t ride in an ambulance, the car just came out to my house. Why am I getting a bill?
- I never received a bill for this service, I didn’t realize there was a charge.
- Will you file with my insurance company for this bill?
- I gave my insurance information at the hospital and the insurance paid them. Why didn’t you file with my insurance?
- This is a workman’s compensation claim. Why are you billing me?
- Can I make monthly payments on my account?
- The last time I was transported the charge was different. Why did this transport cost more?
- Can Orange County use legal measures to collect my Ambulance Fee?
Tax Auctions
- Does Orange County sell Tax Lien Certificates?
- Is there a list of pending foreclosures for interested buyers?
- Can you pay someone's delinquent taxes and become the owner of the property?
- How often do you have foreclosures?
- What is the procedure during the foreclosure?
- Does a property have to be delinquent for multiple years to be subject to foreclosure?
- What type of deed will I receive if I am the purchaser at a tax foreclosure sale?
Taxes
I can't pay my taxes on time. What options do I have?
The Revenue Department offers payment plans to help taxpayers. Please contact the Revenue Division for more information. We will be glad to discuss individual circumstances and review possible options for payment.
Why did I get a tax bill for my real property if I have an escrow account with my mortgage company?
We send the bill to the owner of the property, not the loan institution. We will gladly provide your loan institution with your billing information at its request, but we strongly suggest that you send them a copy of your bill.
What is the 3R fee that I see on my real property tax bill?
The 3R fee, collected for the Orange County Solid Waste Department, funds Orange County’s recycling program. It is not a lien on the real property. 3R stands for Waste reduction, reuse and recycling. For questions about the payment of this fee, please contact 919-245-2725, option 5. In recognizing that there are citizens with limited income, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, in recognizing that there are citizens with limited income, has created a fund to assist those citizens with the payment of the 3R fee. An appeals process is available to anyone who feels that the fee was inaccurately assessed. Appeals will be reviewed by Solid Waste Management staff.
What is the Chapel Hill Stormwater Management fee on my real property tax bill?
This fee is collected for the Town of Chapel Hill. The Town is responsible for managing storm water and related water resources issues within its jurisdiction, and the fee funds that management program. It is not a lien on the real property. The fee is determined by the Town of Chapel Hill. For questions regarding this fee, contact the Town of Chapel Hill.
When will my mortgage company pay my tax bill?
Loan institutions (or their tax-servicing agent) usually remit payment between November 15 and December 31. You are encouraged to verify your payment data with your loan institution.
When are my real & personal property taxes due?
Taxes are due each year for real estate, business personal property and individually owned personal property on September 1st. Payment without interest can be made prior to January 5th of the following year (if the 5th falls on the weekend, payment may be made on the next business day without penalty). Mail payments are accepted by postmark as affixed by the U.S. Postal Service
I sold my house a few months ago. Why did I get the bill instead of the new owner?
If the real property has been sold, please forward the tax notice to the new owner. When property is sold prior to the creation of the tax bill, it is the general practice of N.C. attorneys to make adjustments for the payment of taxes on the closing statement. Payment is NOT made to the tax office at that time. After the creation of the tax bills, taxes are normally paid at the closing. Check your closing statement or contact the closing attorney if you have questions about who is responsible for payment of the bill.
I have paid my tax bill and I have received a past due notice in the mail. Why did this happen?
There are several possibilities. We may not have received your payment from the Post Office, or your payment may have crossed in the mail with the delinquent notice. To verify the status of your account you may contact us or check online.
I have filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 13. Do I still have to pay the new tax bill I received?
When a taxpayer files Chapter 13 Bankruptcy and lists the tax office as a creditor, the bankruptcy court sends a notice to the tax office. The tax office files a claim for any outstanding bills as of the date of the filing. (This includes any outstanding Emergency Management bills). The bankruptcy court should pay the claim in full if the plan is completed and the taxpayer receives a discharge. Any taxes or EMS bills that become due after the filing of the plan are post petition debt and must be paid by the taxpayer.
Contact us for more information.
I have received notice from my bank that the check I wrote to the tax office was returned for non-sufficient funds. What happens now?
A $25.00 or 10% penalty (whichever is greater) will be charged for any check returned due to insufficient funds, (NCGS 105-357(b)(2)), plus any additional interest and penalty, plus any criminal penalties provided by law. Tax receipts are null and void if payment is made with a check that fails to clear the bank. Payment for a returned check should be made by cash, money order or certified funds. Legal process to collect funds includes issuance of a warrant for criminal offense. Contact us for more information.
What do I have to do if I want to move my mobile home?
It is illegal to move a mobile home, whether the site is in or out of Orange County, without a mobile home moving permit. There are three requirements to be eligible for a permit: The mobile home is listed for taxation with the Assessor’s Office for the current year, the current year’s taxes are paid in full, and back taxes are paid in full. The tax office also needs to know the following information: Name of current listed owner; Present location of mobile home; Name and address of mover; Make, model and size of mobile home; Destination - street address in/out of county, dealer/junk lot. The permit is good for 1 move. The permit must be displayed in the window of the mobile home while it is being moved. If the mobile home is being set up again in Orange County the Planning Department may request it in order to issue their permits. Mobile Home Moving Permits are issued in the Hillsborough office only.
When will I get my income tax refund?
Orange County Department of Revenue is unable to assist you with your state or federal income tax questions or forms. You may contact the North Carolina Department of Revenue at 877-252-3052. If you are calling specifically for refund information, call 877-252-4052. You may contact the IRS for Federal Tax Information at 800-829-1040.
Are the city and county property taxes I pay deductible on my state or federal income tax return?
If you have questions about deducting County taxes on your state or federal income tax returns, please contact your tax advisor.
Where do I pay my “animal taxes” for my dog or cat?
Fees paid for your pets are charged and collected by the Animal Control Office, which is part of the Orange County Health Department. The Revenue Department does not collect for Animal Control, and we are unable to answer your questions concerning Animal Control issues. Please contact Animal Control.
Ambulance Billing
I thought this service was covered in my tax bill, no one ever told me there was a charge.
Charging for this service took effect in October of 1996. The fees are used to offset the costs of providing emergency medical services to the citizens.
I didn’t ride in an ambulance, the car just came out to my house. Why am I getting a bill?
There is a charge for advanced treatment whether or not a transport is provided.
I never received a bill for this service, I didn’t realize there was a charge.
The bills are generated within 15 days of service and the bills are mailed to the address given at time of transport.
Will you file with my insurance company for this bill?
Yes, our office will file claims to your insurance company. We must have a signed medical release form from you on file. We may file up to the deadline imposed by the insurance companies. Medicare will accept claims up to 18 months from the date of service; Medicaid has a deadline of 12 months from the date of service. Private insurance companies require that the claim be filed within 6 months of the date of service.
I gave my insurance information at the hospital and the insurance paid them. Why didn’t you file with my insurance?
The tax collection office is not connected with the hospital or its database. Therefore, we are unable to obtain that data from the hospital. You are our only source for your insurance information, and you must provide us with it in order for us to file your claim.
An insurance release form (pdf) is presented at time of transport. If a patient is not able to complete and sign at the time of transport an insurance release form is mailed with the original bill. That form must be completed, signed, and returned to our office before we may file your claim.
This is a workman’s compensation claim. Why are you billing me?
The tax collection office must obtain the workman’s compensation insurance company’s name and a claim number from you in order to file the claim with them.
Can I make monthly payments on my account?
Yes, we work with everyone on an individual basis, so it does not cause any hardship for anyone.
The last time I was transported the charge was different. Why did this transport cost more?
There are different levels of service. The fee schedule is set according to the level of service and/or transport provided.
Can Orange County use legal measures to collect my Ambulance Fee?
Legal process can be pursued 120 days after transport if no insurance payment is pending and/or there has been no response made by you to the bills that we have sent out.
Property Auctions
Does Orange County sell Tax Lien Certificates?
Orange County does NOT sell Tax Lien Certificates. At one time this was the practice, but it has not been in effect since the 1980s.
Is there a list of pending foreclosures for interested buyers?
Yes, there is a list available on our Web site. However, we do not mail out notices of sale.
Can you pay someone's delinquent taxes and become the owner of the property?
No. paying someone else's taxes will not entitle you to any legal ownership of the property.
How often do you have foreclosures?
Orange County has foreclosures throughout the year except during December and January. The Chapel Hill Townships are advertised for two weeks prior to the sale in the Chapel Hill Herald. The other townships are advertised in the News of Orange for two weeks prior to the sale. The Notices of Sale are also posted on the Courthouse bulletin board for 20 days prior to the sale.
What is the procedure during the foreclosure?
The property is offered for sale by the Sheriff's Department at 12:00 Noon on the front steps of the County Courthouse on Margaret Lane in Hillsborough. The bidding starts at the judgment amount, plus interest, costs and sheriff's commission. The highest bidder at public sale shall be required to pay IN FULL (not make a deposit) the amount of the successful bid at the conclusion of the execution sale (subject to the confirmation of the sale as by law provided). After the auction a Report of Sale is filed and there is a 10-day waiting period in which an upset bid can be filed.
Does a property have to be delinquent for multiple years to be subject to foreclosure?
No. After the tax lien advertisement in March of each year any advertised property is subject to foreclosure.
What type of deed will I receive if I am the purchaser at a tax foreclosure sale?
You will receive a NON-WARRANTED SHERIFF'S DEED. There are no warranties of title. Property is sold AS IS.