Property owners in Hays County have until Jan. 31 to pay their property tax bills without incurring penalties and interest charges. On Feb. 1, unpaid property tax bills will be assessed a 7 percent penalty, and the unpaid amount of the bill will begin accruing interest, a county news release stated. Property owners with a 65-or-older, disabled person or disabled veteran exemption who pay taxes quarterly and have made their first payment on or before Jan. 31 will not be assessed a penalty or interest. Cash, check, bank credit and bank debit cards are acceptable forms of payment. Discover and American Express cards are not accepted for in-person payment. A fee of 1.95 percent will be charged for debit card transactions, and a fee of 2.65 percent will be charged for credit card transactions. Property taxes can be paid in person at the following locations: Hays County Tax Office 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 512-393-5545 Hays County Precinct 2 office 5458 FM 2770, Kyle 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 512-268-8024 Hays County Precinct 4 office 195 Roger Hanks Parkway 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 512-858-5105 Each office is open throughout the day, including during lunch, but property owners should be prepared for a long wait on Jan. 31, which is one of the busiest days of the year for the offices, the release stated. Payments made by mail must be sent to the Hays County Tax Office in San Marcos and must have a post office cancellation mark of Jan. 31 or earlier to avoid late fees and interest. Payments can also be made online at www.hayscountytax.com. The county’s online property tax payment portal accepts Discover and American Express cards. Hays County property owners can also utilize a drive-thru lane on the east side of the Hays County Government Center, 712 S. Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, as well as drop boxes at the San Marcos and Dripping Springs tax offices.