Tax offices reopen with new safety measures

The Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner’s office reopened all offices Monday after establishing new safety and social distancing measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

“The safest option is for people to skip the trip entirely and just renew online or at a kiosk; next is to skip the line by using our drop box service. For those whose business requires an in-person visit, such as new residents, we’ve made the process as safe as possible,” said Tax Commissioner Richard Steele.

The Georgia Department of Revenue has extended the deadline for all registrations to June 15, including those for temporary operating permits, and private party vehicle purchases that took place or would have expired between Mar. 16 and June 14.

The office is suggesting visiting on odd or even days to match birthdays to help manage longer wait times. For example, a March 25 birthday would visit on odd days such as May 27, 29 etc.; and an April 24 birthday on May 26, 28 and so on.

The new procedures include:

■ A three-step service process: 1) Check in, 2) Wait in car, 3) Go to staging.

■ Social distancing at least six feet apart, limiting staff to every other window, and a maximum of 10 customers inside at any given time.

■ All contactless payment methods are now accepted, including Apple, Android and Samsung Pay, so customers can pay without touching the terminals.

■ Other safety measures include sanitizing common areas on a regular schedule.

Customer Service is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by phone, email and chat. Saturday service is suspended indefinitely.

■ Motor Vehicle assistance: tag@ gwinnettcounty.com or (770) 8228818;

■ Property Tax assistance: tax@ gwinnettcounty.com or (770) 8228800;

■ Chat on any device from www. GwinnettTaxCommissioner.com. owner, Tiffney D. Rayford Jackson, provided supplemental information just prior to the Feb. 27 planning commission meeting to clarify that she does not intend to live in the home. Jackson had previously lived in the home and cared for her parents in the home.

Jackson had hoped to operate a small personal care home to provide housing and personal care for four unrelated adults with one on-site manager in the 1,317-square-foot, three-bedroom home.

While off-site management of a personal care home is not specifically prohibited, previous permits indicate various zoning conditions of occupancy by the owner as caretaker or a relative of the owner, due to the nature of the business. Lilburn municipal licensing criteria require the business owner to show proof of residency.