FREQUENTLY ASKED COLLECTION QUESTIONS

 FOR TAX DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

Q.  When are real estate taxes due?

A.  The due date is September 1. A discount is offered if paid by August 31. (Aberdeen, Carthage, Pinehurst and Southern Pines municipalities do not allow a 2% discount).  Taxpayers have until January 5^th to pay without a penalty.

Q.  Can I make partial payments on my taxes?

A.  Yes, partial payments can be made anytime before taxes become past due.  If taxes are past due, you should contact the collections office to set up payment arrangements (CONTACT US).

Q.  Can I prepay my taxes before the bills are mailed?

A.  Yes, prepayment amounts would be based on the previous year’s tax value and tax rates and would be subject to settlement when the value, rates, and bill are finalized.

Q.  Can I pay my taxes on line?

A.  Yes, as part of our commitment to providing citizens with efficient, convenient service, Moore County Tax Department has partnered with Official Payments Corp. to offer payment of taxes over the internet at www.officialpayments.com or by telephone by calling 1-800-272-9829.  For Moore County tax bills, a jurisdiction code of 4350 should be used when paying via Official Payments and Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit and debit cards are accepted through this service.  Electronic checks are also accepted using the online method.  Official Payments Corp., the service provider, charges a convenience fee for payment processing. 

Q.  I sold this property. Why am I getting this tax bill?

A.  North Carolina law states that all taxable real property shall be listed and billed in the name of the owner as of January 1^st each year. If this is a bill for real property that was sold on or after January 1^st, you may mail the tax bill directly to the new owner. It is Moore County Tax Department policy to provide a copy of the tax bill to the new owner as soon as possible. If you purchased property after January 1 and did not receive that specific tax bill, please call our office (910-947-2255).

Q.  How can I get a list of the properties being sold at the tax foreclosure sales?

A.  Tax foreclosures are posted on the Moore County website www.moorecountync.gov approximately four weeks prior to the sale date.  They are also posted in the foyer of the Moore County Courts Facility and published in the legal section of The Pilot newspaper.

Q.  How are foreclosure sales conducted?

A.  The sales are conducted by the Moore County Sheriff’s Department in the lobby of the Moore County Courts Facility.  The properties are sold at a public auction to the highest bidder. 

Q.  Do I have to be present to bid on a tax foreclosure property?

A.  You or a representative should be present to place a bid; however the bid is left open for 10 days for upset bids.  The upset bid process is handled by the Moore County Clerk of Court’s office. 

Q.  How often are tax foreclosure sales conducted? 

A.  There is no set schedule but sales are usually scheduled about every eight weeks. 

Q.  Can I buy tax liens and if I pay the taxes, does that mean that the property will be mine?

A.  Buying tax liens is no longer legal in North Carolina and property ownership is only changed by recorded deed or will.

Q.  How many years do taxes have to be past due before foreclosure is started?

A.  The foreclosure process may be started in April of the year in which the tax bill becomes delinquent. 

Q.  I have an escrow account with my mortgage company to pay my taxes.  How do I know that they received a copy of my tax bill?

A.  If your mortgage company requested your tax bill information, ‘Copy Sent To Mortgage Co’ will be printed on the tax bill.  It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to ensure that their mortgage company receives and pays the taxes.

Q.  How do I get a license to start a new business in Moore County? 

A.  Our office issues Schedule B Privilege Licenses for limited types of businesses.  We also issue beer/wine license, however, the license must first be obtained from the NC ABC Board and the municipality in which you are located, if applicable.  Copies of those licenses are required by our office.  Applications for Schedule B and beer/wine licenses can be obtained from our collections office.  Questions can be directed to 910-947-4115.  Further information can be obtained on starting a new business by visiting www.nccommerce.com/servicenter.