Those with unpaid ad valorem bills are getting closer to seeing their property auctioned off for unpaid taxes.

Chief Revenue Clerk Dianne Thompkins said some $413,000 in collections remains outstanding as of Wednesday. That figure represents 112 personal property bills and 1,047 parcels of “real” property, she said.

It also includes totals for nearly 30 parcels where tax bills were returned because of a bad address, she said.

“And I hate to see that,” Thompkins said. “We need to have a good address for a person to get their bill. We’re asking those who have yet to pay their bills and have made a change to their address in the last year to please contact our office.

“It’s a little frustrating because these properties are getting dangerously close to going on the auction block, and we don’t want that simply because we can’t find the owner,” she said. “We’re in the process now of pulling maps and contacting neighbors to see if we can find these people.”

In October, the office billed $11.2 million in ad valorem taxes, or what is more commonly known as property taxes.

On Friday, the penalty on unpaid property taxes is 4 percent, plus a $20 late fee. In April, the fee increases to $25. In May, it increases to 5 percent interest and a $25 fee, Thompkins said.

Properties with unpaid ad valorem taxes by the end of May will be sold on the courthouse steps. No date for that sale is set, Thompkins said.

The revenue commissioner’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When paying by mail, send the bill or bills and payment to “Revenue Commissioner, 1 North Court Square, Suite G, Andalusia, AL 36420.”

As a reminder, the office is still unable to accept credit card or debit card payments. Property taxes are distributed to the school systems, the county’s general fund and road/bridge fund, among other areas.