Early Payment and Discounts for Early Payment

Upon adoption of a resolution by the county legislative body, the county trustee may accept property taxes at any time after July 10 (prior to the first Monday in October established by T.C.A. § 67-1-701, on which date trustees are required to accept property tax payments) and after the tax rates are finally set, the trustee's tax rolls are received and the trustee's receipts are prepared.¹County trustees may begin accepting tax relief applications on the same date on which the trustee accepts property tax payments.²

The governing body of any municipality or county may provide, by appropriate ordinance or resolution, a discount of 2 percent of the ad valorem real property tax currently due, if the taxes are paid within 30 days of the due date established pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-1-701(a) (i.e. between October 1 and October 31) and/or a discount of 1 percent if paid after more than 30 but less than 60 days after the due date established pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-1-701(a) (between November 1 and November 30). Taxpayers receiving tax relief are also eligible to receive early payment discounts.  ³

If, pursuant to T.C.A. § 67-1-702, the county legislative body has given the county trustee the authority to collect taxes at any time after July 10, prior to the first Monday in October, then the county legislative body may provide by resolution for a discount of 3 percent for ad valorem real property taxes paid by the end of July; 2 percent if paid by the end of August; and 1 percent if paid by the end of September. The trustee may accept early payments, in the trustee's discretion, based upon the trustee's capacity to effectively account for the payments.  The governing body may rescind the adoption of discounts at any time.⁴

Mortgagees, mortgage servicers, and escrow account holders are not required to make early tax payments; nor are they required to notify any mortgagor or other party with respect to the availability of any such discounts.⁵