Manatee tax collector to close one office, encourages online transactions

Citing staffing issues and an uptick in online transactions due to COVID-19, the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office will close its Palma Sola location until further notice on Friday.

The Palma Sola office is located at 7411 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

In-person transactions will remain available by appointment only at the tax collector’s other four offices throughout Manatee County. However, residents are “strongly encouraged” to complete transactions online if possible, the agency said in a press release.

The tax collector’s office attributes a 66 percent increase in online transactions this June compared to the same time last year to the coronavirus.

“This indicates that customers are taking advantage of their safest option by completing transactions on taxcollector.com, which enables us to operate more efficiently while minimizing health risks,” Tax Collector Ken Burton, Jr. said in a press release.

Online transactions usually take one to two business days to process, according to the tax collector’s office.

The following offices will remain open for in-person transactions by appointment:

▪ DeSoto, 819 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton

▪ Driver License Office, 904 301 Blvd. W., Bradenton

▪ Lakewood Ranch, 6007 111th ST. E., Bradenton

▪ North River, 4333 US 301 N., Ellenton

And vehicle registration renewals can be completed at self-service kiosks at three Publix locations:

▪ Beachway Plaza, 7310 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

▪ Lockwood Commons, 4240 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton

▪ Parkwood Square, 9005 US 301 N., Parrish

Visit taxcollector.com or call 941-741-4801 for more information.

This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 2:17 PM.