As of April 4th – 91% of taxes collected

As of April 4, your St. Johns County Tax Collector’s office achieved a 91 percent collection rate with revenue totaling $307,200,954.12, slightly ahead of the collection of 2009 taxes this time last year. Bills for the 2010 tax year were due March 31.

Just 9 percent or $18,247,887.88 of the total tax roll of $336,708,014.43 remains uncollected as of April 4. Of that total, less than 1 percent is in litigation or bankruptcy. Bankruptcies account for $1,546,048.03, while litigations total $24,509.09.

Collection of tangible taxes also is strong. The tangible tax roll for 2010 is $12,498,811.38, of which $594,542, or 4.7 percent, remains outstanding. At this same time last year, the tangible tax roll was $12,880,982, of which $908,531, or 7 percent, was uncollected.

“We are pleased to have collection rates maintained at this level, which reflects not only the conscientious efforts of business and property owners and the diligence of your Tax Collector’s staff, but also the strength of the economy in St. Johns County,” said St. Johns County Tax Collector Dennis W. Hollingsworth, CFC.

The delinquent tax list will be available in The St. Augustine Record and online at www.sjctax.us in May, in preparation for the annual tax certificate sale. Real Estate taxes will be advertised May 10, 17 and 24. Tangible taxes will be advertised May 15 and 20.

The annual Tax Certificate Seminar will be held in the County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, 7 p.m. Thursday May 12. This seminar is free and open to anyone interested in learning about the Tax Certificate Sale process. Bidder registration will begin May 10.

The Tax Certificate Sale will be conducted on the Internet at www.stjohnstaxsale.com beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 1. The St. Johns County Tax Collector’s Office actively works with investors in the sale of tax certificates in an effort to ensure an overall collection rate of 98 percent or higher.

Information regarding the sale is posted at www.sjctax.us and will be updated as the Tax Sale approaches.