Dec 22, 2017 3 min read

Beginning Friday, the Washington County treasurer’s office began accepting 2018 property tax payments so residents can take advantage of a 100 percent federal deduction on those payments before 2017 ends.

County Treasurer Francis King announced Friday that even though 2018 county tax bills have not yet been sent, he’ll accept the payments early.

Because there was no increase in the county real estate tax levy, his office will accept payments identical to last year’s county tax bill, or, in the case of new construction, the old amount, followed by an interim tax notice.

The Washington County property tax levy will remain at 2.43 mills for 2018, according to the budget the commissioners unanimously adopted Thursday.

The treasurer’s office hours in Courthouse Square are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Due to the Christmas holiday Monday, the county treasurer’s office will be open just four business days next week, Tuesday through Friday.

To take advantage of the 100 percent deduction, “people must pay by Dec. 31,” King said. “We accept the postal date. I just hope they don’t wait.”

People can bring in their 2017 tax bill or a parcel number when paying in advance for 2018. If a taxpayer arrives at the treasurer’s office without this information, King said his employees can check the county tax database for the property owner’s name.

Bills will be mailed either Jan 2 or 3, King said, which is after the 2017 tax year deadline.

The new Republican-supported federal tax overhaul, which President Donald Trump signed Friday, caps federal taxpayers’ deductions at $10,000 for state and local taxes. Previously, taxpayers could expect to deduct 100 percent of state and local taxes.

According to online information, 27.85 percent of the taxpayers in the 18th Congressional District and 17.53 percent of the taxpayers in the 9th Congressional District, which encompass Washington County, took advantage of the state and local tax deductions on their federal IRS forms.

King said he conferred with county commission Chairman Larry Maggi and county Controller Michael Namie on Friday before deciding to accept early 2018 property tax payments. Those who inquired before Friday’s announcement were told the county couldn’t accept early payment, but King ultimately decided to follow neighboring Allegheny County’s lead.

In Greene County, Treasurer Cory L. Grandel said Friday he was looking into whether it is possible to accept 2018 county property tax payments.

“We’re exploring our options to see if it is possible with our current tax-collection software system,” he said.

Grandel noted that not all counties share the same tax-collection period. “Therefore, it may be easier for some counties to accept the early payments than others,” he said.

Elsewhere, the city of Washington said it is not accepting early tax payments.

Staff writer Bob Niedbala contributed to this report.