With October well underway, Jefferson County officials are reminding property owners that the deadline to pay second-half property taxes is Oct. 31.

In a press release on Oct. 9, County Treasurer Stacie Prada said payments must be postmarked, dropped off or made online by Halloween to avoid late fees and interest charges. The deadline is the second installment of the annual property tax cycle, which funds schools, fire districts, libraries and other public services.

Taxes may be paid by mail, online, by phone or designated drop boxes. Online and phone payments are processed through a third-party service that charges a 2.5% (with a $2 minimum) for credit cards, $3.95 for Visa debit and $2 for electronic checks.

Drop boxes for check payments are available through Oct. 31, with locations at the rear parking lot of the Jefferson County Courthouse, the Port Townsend and Port Hadlock branches of 1st Security Bank of Washington and Sound Community Bank in Port Ludlow.

Payments can be made in person at the Treasurer’s Office in the courthouse open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For mailed payments, residents should include their tax statement coupon or write their property tax account number on the check. Those who wish to have a receipt provided should include an email address for a digital copy or a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail.

Property owners behind on taxes can seek housing counseling or legal assistance through the statewide homeownership hotline at 1-877-894-HOME (4663).

Senior citizens and disabled homeowners may qualify for a property tax exemption on their primary residence. To be eligible, applicants must be 61 or older (by Dec. 31 of the exemption year) or fully disabled, with a household income of $45,000 or less. The program is administered by the Jefferson County Assessor’s Office.

More information about payments, exemptions, appeals and foreclosure assistance is available at the Jefferson County's assessor's website.