Smith County residents stand in line at the Cotton Belt to pay their taxes in 2016. Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber is reminding property owners that taxes are due Wednesday, Jan. 31, and he is urging people to pay online. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

Smith County residents began receiving 183,312 property tax statements mailed out on Nov. 4 by the Smith County Tax Office.

“All taxes are due on or before January 31,” said Gary Barber, Smith County Tax Assessor/Collector. “ If you have not received a tax statement, you need to call our office so we can send you one, because failure to receive a tax statement does not waive penalties and interest.”

The statements feature a new QR code, allowing taxpayers to make payments quickly by scanning it, which takes them directly to their account’s payment page.

Barber called the addition of the QR code a “game changer” for the payment process.

The deadline for payment is Wednesday, Jan. 31. Payments can be made online, in person, by mail or via the tax office’s drop box located outside the Cotton Belt Building at 1517 W. Front St. in Tyler.

Barber encouraged taxpayers using the drop box to write their phone numbers on the envelope in case there are any follow-up questions. Cash will not be accepted in the drop box.

Payments can also be made online at https://publictax.smith-county.com using a debit or credit card or e-check. E-check payments, which require a bank account and routing number, are free, while credit card payments are subject to a 2.5% fee, and debit card payments incur a flat $3.95 fee. Payments by mail must be postmarked by Jan. 31.

The tax office accepts partial payments and encourages residents to pay what they can, as penalties start at 7% and increase by 2% each month after the deadline. If taxes remain unpaid by July 1, a 38% penalty, interest and collection fees will be added.

Homeowners who have paid off their mortgage within the last year but have not received a property tax statement are asked to contact the tax office immediately.

The tax office, located in the Cotton Belt Building, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Payments can also be made at substations in Lindale and Noonday. For more information, call 903-590-2920 or visit smith-county.com/government/elected-officials/tax-assessor/property-taxes.