The property taxes represent CONSEQUENCES. When a person owns real estate, property taxes are due annually. The only way to avoid paying property taxes is to receive an official waiver from the governing body (the authorities).
Miss Emily has received a waiver from Colonel Sartoris. This waiver is seen by Miss Emily as being a perpetual waiver from the 'consequences' of owning property. No matter how long she owns her home, she expects to avoid the 'consequences' of paying her property taxes.
On a deeper level, she feels that she has been granted a waiver from the consequences of ALL her actions. Just as the Colonel has relieved her from the inevitable consequences of owning property, she feels that she has a perpetual 'waiver' to treat people in a cold, distant, standoff-ish manner, with no consequence. She feels that she is entitled to cohabitate with a man without facing any consequences, as she expresses to the Baptist minister. She also feels that she is free from the consequences of killing a man and preserving his body in her bedroom. In her mind, Colonel Sartoris has given her a 'waiver' for all of these actions.
Tobe was not granted a waiver by Colonel Sartoris, so he understands that there WILL be consquences for his and Miss Emily's actions. This is why he leaves the house immediately after her death and doesn't return.
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