Page 18 - Southern Exposure - November '21

Page 18, Southern Exposure

loCal government

Tax Talk

Dear Friends: type of motorcycle, scooter, sidecar, or three-wheeler, and it Our office i s
‘Tis the season! Not quite has an engine of 50 ccs or more, our team is ready to assist honored to provide
the holiday season, but for you with ensuring that you have the required endorsement one pin to local
us in the tax collector’s on your Florida state driver’s license. veterans or their
office, tax season is officially If you already have the endorsement on your driver’s families in honor of
upon us. Our office has been license, no further action is needed – it is a lifetime their military service
planning and preparing for endorsement. For those clients who don’t have it, and in Vietnam. This is
this and our goal is to provide to ensure compliance, you will need at least a regular the official pin of
you with the exceptional Class E operator’s driver’s license, and complete a Basic the United States of
service you have come to Rider Course (BRC), Three Wheel Basic Rider Course America Vietnam War
expect from us. But the reality (3WBRC) or Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP) Commemoration,
is, our phones will be busy, motorcycle safety course. In Palm Beach County, there are authorized by Congress to recognize the 50th anniversary
our appointment times will fill early and the volumes of mail several course providers that offer these programs: https:// of the Vietnam War.
coming into our office will be substantial. We stand ready to www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/motorcycle- Requests can be made by completing a request form
process your tax payments quickly and efficiently. Having rider-education-endorsements/safety-course-locations/. online at www.pbctax.com. Your pin along with my
been through many, many tax seasons, I can offer some best After completing the appropriate course you’re ready personal letter of appreciation will be mailed. Pins are
practices to help you during this busy time. to make an appointment at one of our six service center available now through Veterans Day, November 11.
• Pay online! This is the easiest and quickest way to make locations; keep in mind you must make your appointment Veterans are only eligible to receive one pin; therefore,
your tax payment from the comfort of your home, office or within a year of completing your safety course. The if you previously received your commemorative pin, no
even the beach! Just visit www.pbctax.com/pay-online to endorsement costs $7, plus additional processing fees need to request again. We thank you for your service.
make your payment. associated with issuing a replacement license. Once you
• Use your bank’s bill pay service to have your payment have the endorsement added to your license, it is good Important Dates
made directly from your bank account to us. Please be sure for life.
to include your PCN or Account Number found at the top And Deadlines
of your bill. A Lasting Memento Of Our
• You can visit any of our six service centers during Nov. 1 Tax Season Begins
business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Nation’s Thanks Nov. 7 Daylight Saving Time Ends
drop your payment in our convenient drop box located inside Nov. 11 Veterans Day – Offices Closed
each location, no appointment needed. It is my honor to recognize Palm Beach County’s Nov. 25 and 26 Thanksgiving Holiday – Offices Closed
• You can also do a wire transfer to pay your taxes. Just Vietnam War Veterans. I am offering Vietnam Veterans Nov. 30 Deadline for Property Tax 4 Percent
visit www.pbctax.com/wires for details. a special commemorative lapel pin as my way of saying Discount
As you can see, we offer many time-saving alternatives to a heartfelt “thank you” for their service and sacrifice to Nov. 30 Hurricane Season Ends
paying your taxes by mail or by appointment and I encourage our country. This is the second year we have participated
you to use one of these options. Remember, the earlier in this special partnership with the Florida Department of Local Government on page 19
you pay your property tax, the greater the money-saving Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
discount you can take advantage of. Saving time and money
is something we can all use. Sincerely,
Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County Oxbridge Academy on the Move
Anne M. Gannon,

Early Property Tax Payments What does an acclaimed co-educational, independent newly appointed athletic director Stan Ross, also the

Equals Savings school – known for instilling values, building boys’ lacrosse coach. “Oxbridge paused the football
character, emphasizing diversity, and creating a program in 2018 with some safety concerns with some
curriculum suited for individual choice – do when of the games on the schedule and other reorganization
As your property it reaches its 10-year milestone? In the case of decisions.” Ross adds. “COVID-19 delayed our plans
tax bills will Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach it adds a a little, however we feel we are ready for the return of
arrive after Nov.
1, we encourage middle school for grades seven and eight and brings football as a junior varsity sport next fall and varsity
taxpayers to take back one of its signature athletic programs, football competition in the years to come.”
advantage of early along with a return of its cheerleading team. The
payment discounts. Oxbridge Academy Middle School opened its doors The athletic program also includes baseball,
Remember, if you in August and football is set to return to campus in basketball, cross-country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse,
pay your taxes by the fall of 2022. sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, track & field,
Nov. 30, you will save 4 percent! Discounts are determined by tennis, girls volleyball, and girls flag football. Over
the date they are postmarked or processed online. Don’t forget “When we began planning for our 10-year anniversary the years, many Oxbridge student-athletes have
property taxes become delinquent if not paid by March 31. and identified ways to build on our strong foundation, received scholarships to play at the next level in
What If I Didn’t Receive My Property Tax Bill? How Can a middle school and bringing back our football college.
I Get A Copy? program were a big part of the conversation,”
If you haven’t received explained Oxbridge Head of School Ralph Maurer. Academically, Oxbridge boasts an average class
your bill by Nov. 15, you can
view or print your property The school’s 10-year milestone also coincided with size of 14, a 9:1 student/faculty ratio, and a faculty
tax bill at www.pbctax.com. several other important factors: more families moving of which 77% have advanced degrees, including
Always keep your mailing into the area and an increasing demand for private 13% with doctorates. Oxbridge is also proud of its
address up to date with the school education. The timing is right, and so is the unique, signature programs: Artificial Intelligence
property appraiser’s office. mission. (AI), Aviation, Cambridge (England) Scholars, and
This will ensure proper Independent Research. The school’s Model U.N. and
delivery of your tax bill by “Adding middle school grades means preparing debate teams and its theater students consistently
mail. Under Florida law, a students at a younger age to be world citizens receive statewide awards and recognition. The
tax bill cannot be forwarded without a forwarding address. and future leaders who are caring, confident, number of extra-curricular options grows as students
It is important to remember that failure to receive a compassionate, critical thinkers,” Maurer continues. are encouraged to bring new ideas for clubs. Oxbridge
property tax bill does not relieve you from paying by the “It gives younger students from all walks of life the also emphasizes community service, which includes
due date. opportunity to benefit from a culture that nurtures tutoring students, clothing and toy drives, and beach
Is Your Motorcycle Endorsement Up To Date?
From Ocean and instills values such as integrity, honesty, respect, clean ups.
B o u l e v a r d and gratitude. It will help them develop character and
along the coast, discover their passions at an earlier age and prepare It’s your turn to discover Oxbridge.
t o Sou t he r n them for a seamless transition to our high school.”
Boulevard out to For more information about Oxbridge Academy,
Lake Okeechobee, “Bringing back our football program adds another e-mail admission@oapb.org or call (561) 972-9826.
Palm Beach fantastic athletic program and enhances opportunities
County has so for our student body and school spirit,” explains
many scenic
roadways that Paid Advertisement
motorists love to cruise! If you enjoy a scenic drive by any