Gregg County (Longview News-Journal) — The deadline is less than two weeks away to pay local property taxes without incurring a penalty, Gregg County Tax Assessor/Collector Kirk Shields announced.

On Feb. 1, Shields said, state law adds 7 percent to property taxes for the 2013 levy. Another 2 percent penalty and interest is added every month after that.

Schools, cities and counties begin adding another 15 to 20 percent on July 1 to pay lawyers hired to collect the tax.

Gregg County residents may pay in person at four locations, by mail or online with a credit card. Paying with plastic adds a 2½ percent convenience fee that is charged by the county’s vendor.

Mailed payments must be postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid the penalty.

Shields said people with disabilities or who are older than 65 and have a homestead exemption are eligible to break their payment into four installments as long as the first installment is received by Feb. 1.

In addition to the Gregg County Courthouse, there are tax offices in the Greggton Community Building, 3211 W. Marshall Ave., in Kilgore at 1102 N. Kilgore St., and in Gladewater at 1098 E. Commerce Ave.

Go to KETK newspaper partner the Longview News-Journal for more stories.