More than 1,700 people and businesses had stuck Montgomery County with unpaid property taxes as of last week, accounting for $6.5 million in money promised for textbooks, patrol cars, road repairs and thousands of other county necessities. Some of the delinquents have stronger excuses than others.
– Delinquent: Maryland Economic Development Corporation
Property: A Rockville “business incubator” for state grant recipients
Amount due: $43,815.69 (currently being paid)
Reason: “This is an administrative mix-up,” said Bob Brennan, the state corporation’s executive director, explaining the public facility is not required to pay property tax. “The county had told us it was taken care of — I didn’t even know it was past due. This is bizarre.”
– Delinquent: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Property: A Potomac residence for an embassy official assessed at $2.2 million
Amount due: $27,664.51
Reason: “The embassy doesn’t pay property taxes,” said administrator Abi Akpata. “I’m quite sure that when the property was bought, the taxes were sorted out.” Akpata is right, according to State Department guidelines. This back payment seems to be the result of a lapse in paperwork.
– Delinquent: Janet Ballantyne
Property: A Silver Spring condominium
Amount due: $2,527.99 (currently being paid)
Reason: Ballantyne’s mortgage includes tax payments, but a bank oversight is to blame. “I spoke to Wells Fargo. … Apparently it ‘forgot’ to make the December tax payment,” Ballantyne said. “This despite the fact that I have never missed a mortgage payment.” Interest fees will be paid from bank resources, she added.
– Delinquent: Kamran Hanif
Property: A Potomac residence assessed at $3.6 million
Amount due: $36,825.59
Reason: Hanif, whom past records list as the chief executive officer of a mortgage company, has been hit hard by the crashing housing market. “The whole nation is suffering,” Hanif said.
– Delinquent: Joan Awung
Property: A Silver Spring residence
Amount due: $2,051.10
Reason: “From out of nowhere I got this bill! This is my third house, and the prior mortgages have included taxes. I thought it was tied to the mortgage, and I’m getting this taken care of.”
