Johnston County had the highest collection percentage of ad valorem taxes of all counties in North Carolina during the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Johnston County ranked second overall in collection percentage of amounts not including registered motor vehicles. Tax Administrator Jocelyn Andrews presented the findings during the Annual Tax Settlement report to county commissioners this month.
The Johnston County tax office collected 99.88 percent of all real and personal property taxes levied during the 2018-19 fiscal year that ended June 30, 2019, down slightly from the 99.90% collection rate in the 2017-18 fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018.
A total of $117,814,109.87 was billed last year and $117,668.895.63 was collected, with only $145,214.24 outstanding. Mrs. Andrews said 29% of the uncollected balance was in bankruptcy and could not be collected at the time.
“The 2018 year was again indicative of dedicated personnel and taxpayers working together to achieve positive results, ” Andrews said in her report. “By January 7, 2019, 90.62 percent of the 2018 Johnston County ad valorem tax had been voluntarily remitted to the tax office. During the delinquent collection period of January 8 through June 30, we received an additional $10,883,140.23 to once again end another year with a high collection rate. $117,814.109.87 (99.88% of the levy) was collected for the 2018 year, surpassing total collections from the prior year by more than $4 million.”
“As we advance into the 2019 tax year, the Tax Administration office continues to review its processes and its communication in all venues, aiming for another year of high collections while offering timely information and excellent customer service to Johnston County taxpayer,” Mrs. Andrews said in her report.
During the last fiscal year, the tax office served 310 garnishments and 497 bank attachments. A total of 21 accounts were sent to a foreclosure attorney for collection. The tax office accepted 705 payment arrangements totaling $1.37 million. As of June 30, one remained with an unpaid balance of $3.06.
