TAXING AUTHORITIES BENEFIT FROM 100% CERTIFICATE SALE

Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ben Anderson is pleased to announce that the annual Tax Certificate Sale held on May 31, 2014, accomplished something rarely done in the State of Florida. Anderson shares that 100% of the Tax Certificates were sold and that Okaloosa County is the only county in the state to achieve this mark through an Online Sale Platform this year. This year’s Tax Certificate Sale produced $5,805,769.67 in revenue for the Okaloosa County Taxing Authorities from 3,872 certificates sold. According to Tax Administrator, Justin Gordon, over $193,000,000 in 2013 Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property taxes have been distributed to date. Anderson credits the success of this year’s sale to workshops held throughout the County in May. “The Tax Department’s workshops educated both property owners and investment bidders, and as a result, 578 certificates were awarded to local bidders at an average rate of 6.09%.” Anderson continues, “The success of the Online Certificate Sale Platform is a testament to our efforts to more efficiently collect taxes on behalf of our citizens. We continually strive to innovate more efficient processes for our customers to do business Online not In Line.” Anderson adds, “We currently offer BillExpress, an e-billing service, for Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property taxes in addition to EscrowExpress, an online payment portal for our Escrow Companies.” If anyone is interested in the Tax Certificate Sale or BillExpress and would like to find out more information, please contact the Tax Department at 651-7604.