Deadline coming for Benton, Franklin property taxes

Oct. 31 is the deadline for property owners to pay the second half of their property tax bill.

In Benton County, property owners can pay online by electronic check, credit cards or Visa debit cards. Transaction fees are charged.

Avoid the fees by leaving payments in drop boxes or by mailing checks to:  Benton County Treasurer, Tax Processing Center, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, #E110, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Go to bentoncountytax.com/tax-payments.

Franklin County property owners also may pay online by credit card, Visa debit card or electronic check, with fees attached.

Avoid fees by leaving payments in the drop box at the Franklin County Courthouse, or sending by mail, Franklin County Treasurer, 1016 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco, WA 99301.

Go to franklincountywa.gov/433/Payment-Options.

IRS reports surge in texting scams

The Internal Revenue Service reports an increase in IRS-themed texting scams that aim to steal personal and financial information.

Scammers target mobile phone users with texts that appear to come from the IRS. The texts typically offer Covid-19 relief, tax credits or help setting up an IRS account. Scams should be reported to phishing@irs.gov.

Individuals who believe they have been victims of a tax-related scam can find resources at the Identify Theft Central page at IRS.gov.

Tax extension deadline is fast approaching

Taxpayers who requested an extension to file their 2021 tax return must do so by Oct. 17.

Though this is the last day for most people to file a Form 1040 to avoid the late filing penalty, those who still need to file should do so as soon as possible, the IRS said.

Some taxpayers may have additional time.

They include:

• Members of the military and others serving in a combat zone. They typically have 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due.
• The IRS calls special attention to people hit by recent national disasters, including Hurricane Ian. Taxpayers with an IRS address of record in areas covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations in Missouri, Kentucky, the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and members of the Tribal Nation of the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community have until Nov. 15 to file various individual and business tax returns.

Taxpayers in Florida, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, South Carolina, parts of Alaska and Hinds County, Mississippi, have until Feb. 15, 2023.

This list is updated regularly. Go to the disaster relief page on IRS.gov for the latest updates.