Postmark or pay your property tax balance by Monday or face penalties and interest.

Property tax bills are typically due Jan. 31, but because the deadline falls on a weekend this year people with tax balances will have until Monday to pay or postmark their mailed payment to avoid penalties and interest.

Tax bills were due upon receipt.

Payments can be made by mail, online or dropped off in person at the tax office in the county’s Cotton Belt Building at 1517 W. Front St. The tax office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (including through the lunch hour).

Payments can be in cash, check or money order and by credit card or electronic check. Property owners who pay online will be able to print out a receipt good for income tax purposes.

Penalties for late payment begin Tuesday, at 7 percent. That increases by 2 percent each month until July, when attorney fees are added, as well. Those fees are 15 percent of the tax bill; after that, another 1 percent is added each month until payment is made.

To check your balance or pay a tax bill online, go to www.publictax.smith-county.com/smithtax/. The link will take you directly to the account search.