Island County property owners will get a few extra days to pay their property taxes this year.

Second half property taxes are due Oct. 31, but since the day falls on a Saturday, the statute allows the payments to be received the “next business day,” which will be Monday, Nov. 2.

Property taxes that are mailed must be postmarked by that date or sooner.

Island County Treasurer Linda Riffe said there are easier ways to pay.

“Due to budget cuts and reduction in staff, I would encourage people to pay their taxes using our Internet payment or telephone payment options,” Riffe said.

“Paying by E-check online only costs $2 (and is less expensive than sending a payment through the mail certified, return receipt) for any tax payment less than $10,000,” she added. “Or if a person chooses to, he or she may pay by credit card. There is a 2.5 percent credit-card transaction fee.”

Riffe said the county does not receive the transaction fees; it goes to the company handling credit-card transactions to cover the credit-card company fees.

She said another advantage of using the E-check or the credit-card payment option is that taxpayers can print a receipt immediately upon payment for their records.

To make an on-line payment, go to the treasurer’s Web site at www.islandcounty.net/treasurer and click on the link “Paying Your Taxes.” To use the toll-free telephone

payment option, dial 1-888-827-4230 and follow the instructions.

There is a toll-free number — 1-888-357-8394 — citizens can call for help.

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