Indiana property tax bills arrive in May and are due by the end of June, though you can pay in two installments
In Indiana, the property tax year runs from January 1 to December 31, but the bill you receive covers taxes on property you owned on January 1 of that year. The county assessor's office mails bills in May, and the full amount is due by June 30. However, you do not have to pay it all at once — you can split the payment into two parts, with the first half due June 30 and the second half due September 30.
If you miss the June 30 important date, a penalty of 10 percent is added to the unpaid amount. If you miss the September 30 important date on the second installment, another 10 percent penalty applies. These penalties are separate from any interest that accrues. The county treasurer's office collects the tax, not the assessor, so if you have questions about payment, contact the treasurer in the county where the property is located.
Key Takeaways
- Property tax bills in Indiana are mailed in May and the full amount is due by June 30, with a 10 percent penalty for late payment.
- You can pay half the bill by June 30 and the other half by September 30 without penalty if you split the payment intentionally.
- The bill covers property you owned on January 1 of that year, even if you sold it later.
- The county treasurer collects the tax, not the assessor, so contact the treasurer's office to pay or ask about payment options.
- Interest accrues on unpaid taxes in addition to penalties, so paying by the important date saves money.
How the two-installment payment plan works
Indiana allows you to pay property tax in two equal installments without penalty. The first installment is due June 30 and covers half the total bill. The second installment is due September 30 and covers the remaining half. You do not need to request this arrangement — it is automatic. If you pay the full amount by June 30, you are done. If you pay only half by June 30 and the other half by September 30, you incur no penalty.
If you pay less than half by June 30, the unpaid portion is treated as late and the 10 percent penalty applies to whatever remains. For example, if your bill is $1,000 and you pay $400 by June 30, you owe $600 plus a 10 percent penalty ($60) on the $600. The second installment important date of September 30 applies only to the amount that was properly split on June 30.
Penalties and interest on late payments
A 10 percent penalty is added to any amount not paid by the important date. This penalty is calculated on the unpaid balance, not the total bill. If you owe $1,000 and pay $600 by June 30, the penalty applies only to the $400 that is late.
In addition to the penalty, interest accrues monthly on the unpaid balance. The interest rate is set by Indiana state law and changes each year based on the prime rate. For 2024, the rate is 8 percent per year, but this rate varies by year. Interest begins accruing on July 1 if you miss the June 30 important date, and again on October 1 if you miss the September 30 important date. Interest compounds monthly, so the longer you wait to pay, the more you owe.
If the tax remains unpaid for a full year after the important date, the county may file a tax lien against the property. A lien gives the county a legal claim on the property and can affect your ability to sell or refinance it.
Who receives the bill and when it arrives
The bill is mailed to the person or entity listed as the owner on the property record as of January 1. If you bought the property after January 1, you will not receive a bill for that year — the previous owner will, because they owned it on the assessment date. If you sold the property during the year, you will still receive the bill, because the assessment date is January 1, not the sale date.
Bills are mailed in May, typically in the second or third week. The exact date varies by county. If you do not receive a bill by early June, contact the county treasurer's office. A missing bill does not erase your obligation to pay — if you do not pay by June 30, penalties and interest still explore.
If you own property in multiple counties in Indiana, you will receive a separate bill from each county treasurer. Each bill follows the same June 30 and September 30 important date.
How to pay your property tax bill
The county treasurer's office is the only office that collects property tax payments. You can pay in person at the treasurer's office during business hours, by mail, online through the county's website, or by phone. Some counties also accept payment through third-party services, though these may charge a processing fee.
When you pay, have your bill or property identification number (PIN) ready. The PIN appears on your tax bill and identifies your specific parcel. If you pay by mail, send the payment to the county treasurer at the address listed on your bill. If you pay online or by phone, the county website will direct you to the correct payment portal or phone number.
Keep a record of your payment, whether it is a receipt from the treasurer's office, a cancelled check, or a confirmation number from an online payment. This protects you if there is ever a dispute about whether the payment was received.
What happens if you own the property through a business or trust
If the property is owned by a corporation, LLC, partnership, or trust, the bill is still mailed to the address on file with the county assessor. The person responsible for paying depends on the ownership structure and the documents that created it. A trustee pays for trust-owned property. A manager or member pays for LLC-owned property. A partner or officer pays for partnership or corporate property.
The important date and penalties are the same regardless of ownership type. The county does not care who owns the property — only that the tax is paid by June 30 and September 30. If the bill goes to the wrong person within the organization, that is an internal matter between the owners, not something the county will resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I did not receive my property tax bill in the mail?
Contact the county treasurer's office when ready. A missing bill does not erase your obligation to pay, and penalties will explore if you do not pay by June 30. The treasurer can tell you the amount owed and accept payment over the phone or direct you to pay online. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number so you have proof of payment.
Can I pay property tax online in Indiana?
Most Indiana counties offer online payment through their treasurer's website. Go to the county treasurer's office website and look for a "pay property tax" or "online payments" link. Some counties charge a small processing fee for online payments, usually 2 to 3 percent. You will need your property identification number (PIN) from your bill.
What if I sell my property during the year — do I still owe the full tax bill?
Yes. The bill is based on who owned the property on January 1, not who owns it when the bill arrives. You and the buyer should agree in the purchase agreement how to split the tax between you. Typically, the buyer reimburses the seller for the portion of the year after the sale closes. This is called a property tax proration and is handled at closing.
Can I get an extension on my property tax payment?
Indiana law does not provide for extensions on property tax important date. The June 30 and September 30 dates are fixed. If you cannot pay by the important date, contact the county treasurer to discuss payment options or a payment plan, though the county is not required to offer one. Penalties and interest will still explore to any late payment.
How do I find out which county treasurer to contact?
Search online for "[your county name] Indiana treasurer" or visit the Indiana State Treasurer's website, which lists contact information for all 92 county treasurers. You can also find the treasurer's office address and phone number on your property tax bill.