Kosciusko County Fall 2013 Property Taxes Due Nov. 12
Posted
Staff Report-
Kosciusko County’s second property tax installment is due Nov. 12, according to county Treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell. She noted this is an unusual year because property taxes are not due Nov. 10, which falls on Sunday, and the following Monday the courthouse is closed in honor of Veterans Day, making the due date the 12th. There are many payment options available to taxpayers. Payments are taken from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the treasurer’s office in the Old Courthouse, 100 W. Center St., Warsaw. The Treasurer’s Office is on the second floor of the courthouse on the east end of the building. There is a handicapped entrance under the stairs on the west side of the building on Lake Street, with an elevator available to reach the second floor. The payment drop box for tax payments only is also located in that same area. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you require a returned receipt. Cash, checks and credit/debit cards are accepted in the office. No-sufficient-funds checks will be charged a $25 fee and will be turned over to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor in 30 days if not paid in full. There is a 2.95 percent convenience fee for using credit/debit cards in the office. Taxpayers also may pay online with a credit/debit card at www.kosciuskotax.net There is a 2.95 percent convenience fee for using credit/debit card online. Taxpayers may call the Treasurer’s Office at 574-372-2372 to pay by phone with a debit/credit card. There is a 3.95 percent convenience fee for paying by credit/debit card over the phone in the office. Kosciusko County receives none of the convenience fees. All convenience fees are retained by the credit card processing company. Taxpayers also may mail their property tax payments to: Kosciusko County Treasurer, PO Box 1764, Warsaw, IN 46581. Taxpayers who include their “C” copy along with their “B” copy and a self-addressed stamped envelope will receive a returned receipt. Mitchell advised taxpayers, “Tax payments mailed on the due date should probably not be dropped in post office mail pick up boxes. Taxpayers should see that they are hand stamped with the date being no later than Nov. 12.” Tax bills that are postmarked after Nov. 12 with no prior delinquencies will be assessed a 5 percent penalty for the first 30 days and an additional 5 percent if not paid prior to Dec. 12. Payments received on properties with prior delinquencies will have the 10 percent penalty applied Nov. 13 per state laws. Taxpayers may use their banks bill pay feature being sure to allow enough time for the check to be processed, mailed, and received by the Nov. 12 deadline. The property tax ID should be included on the bill pay check to insure the payment is posted to the correct account. Taxpayers who are unable to locate their tax bill may call the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office at 574-372-2372 to request a reprinted tax bill. A reprinted bill will be mailed at no cost to the taxpayer if requested. Taxpayers who do not have their tax bill that have access to the Internet may find their tax obligation at www.kcgov.com then selecting Beacon Online Mapping. The Beacon website displays Kosciusko County assessment and tax information. Users must agree to the terms which include no cost, but does not allow for solicitation with the data. After entering a name, address or tax identification number you will be directed to either a list to select the correct property or you will be taken directly to the property. Tax information is displayed at the bottom of the page. All taxes roll forward to the most current year so if it appears property tax is outstanding from prior years, they will all be displayed in the 2013 column. Taxpayers who have their bills and have no delinquencies may pay at Crossroads, Campbell & Fetter, Farmers State Bank, Lake City Bank, Mutual Bank and Tower Bank. Mitchell stated, “Many taxpayers are surprised to learn that partial payments are accepted by the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office.” Partial tax payments are accepted with the exception of when real properties have been certified for tax sale or personal property has been certified as demands/judgments. Kosciusko County does not establish formal payment plans, but allow taxpayers to make payments in any amount towards outstanding property tax obligations. Mitchell said, “The Treasurer’s Office is willing to work with taxpayers to spread their tax obligation over a period of time without penalties as long as the total tax amount due is paid by the tax deadline.” Indiana laws require a penalty if property taxes are not paid. The Treasurer’s Office also provides a blanket email reminder to those who request the service. The general email is sent approximately 30 days in advance of tax bill due dates as a reminder that property taxes are due. Requests to be added to the email notification should be sent to smitchell@kcgov.com Taxpayers with questions on their tax bills are encouraged to contact the Treasurer’s Office at 574-372-2372 or by email at smitchell@kcgov.com
