Frequently Asked Questions

Question: When are property tax bills mailed out?

Answer: October of each year. Property tax bills are mailed to the owner of record. New

owners should contact their title company or review their closing statement to determine

who is responsible for paying the taxes. Payment of property tax depends on when the

property is transferred. Unpaid taxes continue to accrue against the property.

Question: What time of year are property taxes due?

Answer: Taxes are due and payable from October 1 through the last day of February.

(If the last day of February is a holiday/Sunday you will not receive an extra

day without penalty.)

Question: What time period do my annual taxes cover?

Answer: The taxes that become payable October 1 cover the current calendar year.

Question: Are partial payments accepted for my taxes?

Answer: Yes, the Trustee's Office does accept partial payments on taxes

Question: What happens if I miss the tax payment deadline?

Answer: From the first day of each month beginning 1 March, interest of 1.5 percent per

month (18 percent annually) is added to your base tax amount. If the Post Office fails to

postmark your payment by the dates due, it is considered a late payment. This applies

even if you mail your payment on time. For mail-in payments, office meter dates are not

accepted. Online property tax payments are recognized by the county as paid on the

date of the online transaction.

Question: Where can I pay my tax bill?

Answer: You can mail your check or money order payable to Meigs County Trustee to

P.O. Box 7, Decatur, TN 37322 or 17214 State Hwy 58 N Decatur, TN 37322. You may

also bring your payment to the Trustee’s Office located on the first floor in the

Courthouse, (Room 103) in Decatur, TN. 37322. Our Office has a door slot where you

may drop your payments and a drop box located outside the Trustee’s entrance on the

north side. A self-service kiosk for tax payments is located in front of the Trustee’s

Office. For your convenience you may also choose to pay online at

www.meigscounty.org (scroll down and click on search/pay property taxes).The vendor

does charge a convenience fee. Credit Cards - 2.50 % of subtotal. ACH - $1.00 per

transaction ($0.50 added for each additional merchant paid). This amount will appear on your

statement.

Question: What does the term "EtUx" or "EtVir" beside my spouse's name on the property bill mean?

Answer: EtUx is a Latin phrase meaning "and wife." The phrase "EtVir" means "and husband," EtAl means "and others."

Question: Is my property information viewable by other people?

Answer: Yes, Property tax information is public record.

Question: Where can I find information about the assessed value of my property?

Answer: The County Assessor is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of

property. You may contact the County Assessor’s Office at 423-334-5231.

Question: How are the County Assessor’s Office and the Trustee’s Office related?

Answer: The County Assessor is responsible for the appraisal and assessment of

property, according to state law. The Trustee’s Office is responsible for billing and

collection of taxes based on assessments. The Trustee has no authority over the

amount of assessment, nor can she be involved in the appraisal process.

Question: What is the appeal process?

Answer: If you do not agree with your appraisal you may schedule an appointment by

contacting the Assessor’s Office at 423-334-5231. The appeal process begins in the

county Assessor’s Office by appearing before the Local Board of Equalization.

Question: What if my property taxes have a “P” on them?

Answer: The “P” stands for “Personal” property taxes. Personal property taxes are taxes

that are based on temporary or moveable property such as furnishings, office machines,

telephones, vehicles and other such items that are used by a company or a person to

operate a business. The tax is based upon information furnished to the Property

Assessor each year by the business. The Assessor furnishes a schedule for each

business owner to provide a detailed list of all tangible personal property owned