Treasurer
TaxPayer Assistance Program (TAP)
The Taxpayer Assistance Program (TAP) helps Arlingtonians meet their tax obligations by offering them the opportunity to apply for a short term loan to cover their tax bill.
HOW DOES A TAP LOAN WORK?
- John Marshall Bank, a community bank, has partnered with Arlington County Treasurer, Frank O'Leary, to offer a short term loan to taxpayers without a credit check. The short term loan is used to pay the taxpayers tax bill with Arlington County.
- The bank is able to do this because the Arlington County Treasurer guarantees the loan.
- The taxpayer pays the bank an up-front Origination Fee of ten percent (10%) of the amount to be financed. This fee is equal to the late penalty payment that the Treasurer would, by law, impose upon the taxpayer for a late tax payment.
- The bank immediately pays the Treasurer the amount of the taxes.
- The taxpayer pays back the loan in six to ten monthly installments.
- If the taxpayer makes payments on time, there are no other fees associated with the loan.
ADDITIONAL DETALS
- Businesses are eligible for TAP if at least two of the business owners are present and a corporate resolution is presented.
- If the property has one or more co-owners, all must sign the loan documents.
- Applications must be made in person at the Treasurer's Office.
- Any other fees that the taxpayer owes the County may not be financed, and must be paid in full at the time the TAP application is submitted.
- A taxpayer may have only one TAP loan outstanding at a time. If a taxpayer wishes to finance both installments of their real estate tax, it must be done in the same loan.
- County car taxes may also be financed through TAP.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DEFAULT ON YOUR TAP LOAN?
- The Treasurer reimburses the bank for the portion of the loan that is unpaid and begins collection action against the taxpayer. Collection action may include seizure of bank accounts, wages and property.
- The 10% Origination Fee is non-refundable; if the taxpayer defaults on the loan, the fee will be lost.
- The Treasurer will impose a 10% late payment penalty on the outstanding tax balance, as well as interest at the rate of 10% per year.
- The taxpayer will be charged $42 for each real estate parcel for which taxes were financed. This is the cost of filing, and subsequently releasing the bank's lien on the property.
- Taxpayers who default on their loan will not be eligible for future TAP loans.
For more information about this program call: 703-228-4000 or e-mail Customer Service Manager, Crystal Jackson, at treasureroperations@arlingtonva.us .
