Residents of Oak Ridge, please take note: tax season is upon you. Property tax statements have been dispatched and should be landing in mailboxes throughout the month. According to the City of Oak Ridge's recent alert, these statements are sent to the homeowner's address currently on file with the State of Tennessee as of January 1. However, if a statement is not received by July 31, homeowners are advised to get proactive about their taxes.

Some Oak Ridge homeowners might not receive their tax bill in mail for various reasons, such as recent property transfers; this is typically discussed during the home closing process. But missing a tax statement in the mailbox doesn't mean you can dodge the payment due — the city makes it plain that this oversight does not absolve property owners from their duty to pay up by the deadline, August 31. To avoid penalties and interest, which accrue starting September 1, make sure your taxes are settled on time.

If you're one of those people scratching your head come late July because you haven't seen your tax statement, you're urged to call Tax Specialist DeDe at (865) 425-3404, or check your amounts due online at the Oak Ridge website. It's a straightforward way to avoid the scramble before the deadline. As an alternative, property tax information is accessible for residents here, allowing you to review what's owed and make arrangements accordingly.

When you're ready to make that payment, Oak Ridge has options to suit your preference. Go digital and pay online, stop by the Utilities Business Office at 200 S. Tulane Avenue, take advantage of the after-hours drop box in the UBO parking lot, or simply mail it in. Just be prepared for the extra fees attached to electronic payments — a 2.75% surcharge for card payments and a more manageable $1 per $5,000 for eChecks. These fees are strictly to cover the City's handling and processing expenditures.