Northwest Iowa — If you haven’t paid them yet, you have less than four weeks left to pay the initial installment of 2018-19 property taxes in Iowa without having to pay a penalty.
If you own real estate you’re required to pay a half year’s taxes on that real estate every six months. Or you can elect to pay the full year’s taxes in one payment. The first payment is due in the fall of the fiscal year, with the last payment due the following spring. The fall tax payment was due September first and may be paid without penalty on or before October first. If you have a mortgage, your property taxes are probably paid by your lender through an escrow account.
The county treasurers in northwest Iowa remind you that there are three different ways to pay your taxes. You can choose to pay your taxes online, at www.iowatreasurers.org. You can go to your county treasurer’s office and pay them in person, or you can mail your check to your county treasurer’s office. If you go to your treasurer’s office, or if you mail your tax payment, be sure the proper stub accompanies your payment. And remember, if you mail your payment, it MUST BE postmarked on or before October first to avoid a penalty.
If you pay online, you will still need your stub because the online site asks for the receipt number, which it says is found on your bill. Also, paying online requires the payment of a convenience fee. If you pay by credit card, the treasurer’s offices say that the fee is 2.25% of your tax payment plus $1.50. But if you pay with an e-check, the entire fee is only $0.40.
The county treasurer’s offices in the four-county area are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
