From staff reports:

King County property owners have until Oct. 31 to pay the second half of their property taxes, or else they will begin to see interest charges and penalties added to their tax bill. To try and make this onerous process easier, the county provides a number of resources for property owners.

According to the county, payments can be made by:

• Mail, if postmarked no later than Oct. 31, 2011. Taxpayers should include their tax statement, and write the property tax account number on their check or money order. The county notes that cash payments should not be sent through the mail.

• In person at Room 600, Treasury Operations, King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104. That office is regularly open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but will be open an extra half hour on Friday, Oct. 28, and Monday, Oct. 31.

• At King County Community Service Centers if paid by check for the exact amount due. Taxpayers can find the address, phone number, and operating hours of the center nearest them at kingcounty.gov/operations/csc.aspx.

• Pay online at www.kingcounty.gov/propertytax