(Washington, DC) The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) is mailing final notices today to real property owners who are delinquent in paying their property taxes. This is an effort to collect outstanding taxes before the properties are sold at the annual Tax Sale auction. The notices list real property tax delinquencies from tax year 2002 and as far back as 1993. Under District law, old liens must be satisfied before payment is accepted for the current real property tax bill.

Property owners have until July 14, the date of the Tax Sale, to pay their taxes in full, including penalties and interest, to prevent their property from being auctioned.

"Tax revenue is vital to supporting city services, and every property owner is responsible for paying their share," said Phil Brand, deputy chief financial officer for tax and revenue. "We are making every effort to ensure that taxpayers are informed of all their liabilities and that they have ample opportunity to become current."

If a property is ultimately sold at Tax Sale, the owner has until the time of a court-ordered deed to pay their back taxes and redeem their property. If the original owner redeems the property, the Tax Sale buyer will be reimbursed the purchase amount plus any additional costs.