*Credit cards are accepted

    online only

Tax Collector unveils Spanish web site

TAMPA, Fla. (March 30, 2005) - Hillsborough County’s Spanish-speaking residents may find it easier to pay property taxes and conduct other government business online, thanks to a new Spanish web site developed by the Tax Collector’s Office.

Tax Collector Doug Belden announced the new site will make its debut Monday, April 4, at 10 a.m. during a special ceremony in the County Center at 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa. The public is invited.

Residents can access the Spanish web site by going to www.hillstax.org and clicking on the link “Visitenos En Español.” The Spanish-language site mirrors the English version, Belden said, and was developed by the agency’s Community Relations Department.

“The Spanish-speaking population is the fastest-growing demographic in our country and Hillsborough County is no different,” Belden said. “We are very pleased to be able to offer this service.”

Nancy Millan, director of the office’s Community Relations Department, said the Tax Collector’s Office painstakingly translated each page individually instead of relying on popular translation software, which doesn’t always provide an accurate translation for technical information.

“The information we provide on a daily basis is so technical and specific in nature, we wanted to make sure we got it right,” said Millan. “It’s also vitally important that our information reaches all groups in Hillsborough County.”

Belden said the Tax Collector’s Office worked on the Spanish site for over a year and it’s part of a larger effort to reach the Spanish-speaking community. The office has intensified its efforts to hire bi-lingual employees, Belden added, and is an active participant in outreach programs involving the Spanish-speaking community.

-30-