(Washington, DC) The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) has mailed more than 171,000 first half real property tax bills to District property tax owners. The tax bills reflect the real property market as of January 1, 2008, and any past due real property tax liabilities. The first half tax payments are due Tuesday, March 31.

Property owners are encouraged to pay their real property taxes online by using OTR’s free eCheck payment system at www.taxpayerservicecenter.com, under “Real Property Service Center.” Payments can also be made at any Wachovia bank in the District of Columbia.

Approximately 7,500 of the 2009 first half tax year bills were not included in the mailing because they have been delayed due to payment adjustments, adjustments in Homestead or senior citizen tax benefits, or adjustments to assessed value to reflect appeal decisions from the Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals. These "delayed" bills will be mailed on March 24 and payment will be due April 27.

To view a list of the delayed bills, taxpayers should visit OTR's Web site under Real Property Tax Bills.

A 10 percent penalty will apply to late payments and 1.5 percent interest will be charged for each full or partial month the payment is late. If a mortgage company makes the tax payment on behalf of the property owner, the property owner must ensure that payments are made by the due date. Properties with delinquent tax bills may be sold at the annual Tax Sale, if the taxes are not paid in full.

For more information about real property tax bills and tax relief programs, call (202) 727-4TAX or visit OTR’s Customer Service Walk-In Center at 941 North Capitol Street, NE, on the first floor.