York County residents who receive their car tax bills this month should double-check the bills for errors.

Since the state Department of Motor Vehicles upgraded its computer system recently, a small percentage of taxpayers throughout the state have found mistakes on their car tax bills, which are sent out monthly by counties.

October is the first month that tax bills have been sent out since the technology changes, York County Treasurer Anne Bunton said.

York County will send out close to 10,000 car tax bills this month for vehicle owners whose license plates expire in November. The bills started going out last week.

Mistakes on the bills could include an incorrect address or name, a car listed in the wrong county, or a bill for a previously owned car, among other errors, said County Auditor Isaiah Boyd.

People should call the auditor's office if they think there's a problem with their bill.

York County residents who own vehicles with license plates expiring in November also are urged to call the auditor's office if they haven't received a car tax bill by Nov. 1.

York County officials have learned that other South Carolina counties have recently gotten calls from residents complaining of vehicle tax bill errors. But the problems will probably only affect a small percentage of taxpayers, Bunton said. At least one York County resident received a bill from the wrong county, she added.

County officials are asking people to be patient while the DMV's computer glitches are worked out. "We'll help them (taxpayers) as best we can to get their error corrected," Bunton said.

Herald Online

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2002