Northwest Iowa — If you haven’t paid them yet, just a reminder that the first installment of your Iowa property taxes will be due on September first and you’ll have the month of September to pay them 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 is due September first and may be paid without penalty on or before September 30th. 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 via any dropbox, or you can mail your check to your county treasurer’s office. If you go to the courthouse, 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 September 30th to avoid a penalty. Courthouses that have dropboxes also remind you that if you use the dropbox, it still has to be in the dropbox by 4:30 p.m. on September 30th.
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 $0.25.
The county treasurer’s offices in the four-county area are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
