Rusk County tax bills are in the mail

HENDERSON — Rusk County Tax Office has placed about 40,000 statements in the mail for the 2008 tax year.

Tax Assessor-Collector Matt R. Gabriel said the statements cover taxes for areas within the county which include five cities, nine school districts, one college district, two emergency service districts and the Rusk County Groundwater District.

"This will be the first year the Rusk County Tax Office will collect for the Rusk County portion of the City of Kilgore, Kilgore ISD, Kilgore College and the City of Easton," Gabriel said.

In the past, the tax receipts for Rusk County portions of these entities came from the Gregg County tax office, but the state legislature changed the law during the past year.

Payments are due when statements are received but taxpayers have until Jan. 31, 2009, before penalties will be added.

The tax office is located at 202 N. Main St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.