FRANKLIN, La. — Parish ad valorem property tax notices for 2012 were mailed on Nov. 1 and if business and property owners have not received a tax notice they should contact the St. Mary Parish Tax Office, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert stated in a news release.

The delinquency date is Dec. 31.

Important tax dates, according to Hebert, are:

—Dec. 31: Taxes are delinquent if unpaid after this date.

—Jan. 1, 2013: 1 percent interest accrues on any unpaid taxes.

—Feb. 1, 2013: Additional 1 percent interest and 10 percent collection fee (taxes and interest) are added.

—March/April 2013: Additional 1 percent interest per month accrues and collection fees also increase. Additional costs for certified notices and advertisements begin.

—May 2013: Tax title sale is held.

Property owners with escrow taxes should forward a copy of the tax notice to the mortgage holder.

Payments can be made by mailing a check or money order along with the payment coupon to P.O. Box 610, Patterson, LA 70392. Payments can also be made from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at either the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office located in the Courthouse Building, 4th Floor, Franklin, or the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Branch Office at 1455 Railroad Ave., Morgan City.

For information or to request a copy of a tax statement, contact the Sheriff’s Office Tax Department at 337-828-6979 or 985-384-1622. Questions concerning property tax assessments should be directed to the St. Mary Parish Assessor’s Office.