Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph today announced that the Tax Collector’s Office, including the Property Tax Department, Business Tax Department and seven Tag Agencies will be closed on Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26 in observance of the Christmas holiday. The Office will also close on Monday, January 2 in observance of New Year’s Day.

Randolph said that December is the busiest month of the year at the Tax Collector’s Office. The Office expects to complete more than 80,000 transactions – or about 4,000 transactions per workday – across its seven Tag Agencies this month. In addition to annual expired tags, December 31 is also the deadline for customers to receive a 3% Early Payment Discount on their property taxes, mobile home renewals and heavy truck registration renewals.

To help avoid long lines and year-end crowds, Randolph is encouraging Tax Collector customers to follow these tips:

• Get in line from anywhere virtually with SmartPass – You don’t have to be in our office to be in line. When you get in line virtually with SmartPass, we’ll send you text messages estimating the time at which you’ll be seen. We’ll also text you when it’s your turn.

• Schedule an appointment with SmartPass – Select the date and time of your visit. There’s no need to check in when you arrive. Just take a seat and we’ll call the last four digs of your cell phone.

• Renew your tag online – You’ll receive your tag 2-3 business days after we process payment.

• Use Tag Express for same-day service – Order your tag online and pick it up the same day at one of our offices – no lines. We were the first tax collector office in the state to offer Tag Express, and so far in 2016 more than 35,000 customers have renewed with Tag Express.

• Pay your taxes online in December for a 3% discount – Pay your taxes this month and take advantage of our 3% December Discount Program. For the average homeowner, that’s $90 in savings.

“With Christmas and the holiday season right around the corner, the last thing folks want to do is wait in line for motor vehicle services,” Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph said. “With SmartPass you don’t have to. You can get in line from anywhere virtually or schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you.”

For SmartPass and other Tax Collector services, visit us online at octaxcol.cbmstage.com.