Kosciusko County property tax bills for 2013 have been mailed. Property taxes, payable this year, are due May 12 and Nov. 10.
Only one tax bill is mailed each year and includes both the spring and fall installment coupons. Taxpayers are asked to retain the fall portion of the tax bill for the fall payment.
Taxes may be paid on the main floor of the courthouse in the treasurer’s office, located at 100 W. Center St., Room 215, Warsaw. There is a ground level entrance on the west side of the courthouse and an elevator to reach the second floor where the treasurer’s office is located. An outside drop box is available for tax payments at the west side entrance of the courthouse. The box is monitored by the surveillance cameras, located outside the courthouse. Partial payments are accepted at any time in the treasurer’s office.
Tax payments may be mailed to: Kosciusko County Treasurer, P.O. Box 1764, Warsaw, IN 46581. Spring payments must be postmarked by May 12. If mailed May 12, it’s important to have the post office hand cancel the envelope with the postmark date to avoid late penalties. Property taxes received with a May 13 or later postmark are subject to 5 or 10 percent penalties. The drop box at the west entrance to the courthouse can be an alternative to mailing the tax bill, especially on the final payment day.
Taxes may be paid at: Crossroads, Campbell and Fetter, Mutual Federal, Tower Bank, Lake City Bank and Farmers State Bank. Some banks will accept payments as soon as taxes are mailed; some will only accept two weeks in advance of the due date.
Taxes may also be paid online with a credit card or debit card at www.kosciuskotax.net with a 2.95 percent convenience fee. Credit and debit cards may also be used by calling 800-809-5849 with a 3.95 percent convenience fee. Credit and debit cards may also be used in the treasurer’s office with a 2.95 percent convenience fee. The convenience fee is retained by the credit card vendor. No part of the fee is retained by Kosciusko County.
Along with the tax bill, property owners will receive a TS1 form. The TS1 form provides information on the property’s assessed value, exemptions/deductions and ditches, as well as a comparison to the prior year’s property tax obligation. It’s a great source of information that can be used to evaluate and compare property tax status from year to year. The form will allow one to verify that one has the appropriate exemptions/deductions.
Taxpayers are entitled to one homestead credit in Indiana as evidenced by voting location, income tax filing location, and vehicle registration location. Homestead credit forms don’t need to be re-filed annually. If taxpayers are currently receiving a homestead credit on their property, but should not be, they must contact the auditor’s office to avoid penalties. Taxpayers who need to file for the homestead credit or any other exemption should contact the auditor’s office at 100 W. Center St., Room 220, Warsaw, or 574-372-2316.
Property tax on real estate that is three payments behind as of July 1, 2014, will be certified for tax sale in the fall of 2014. Property tax on personal property delinquent from 2013 will be certified to the clerk of the court and turned over to a collection agency after the May 12, 2013, due date. Mobile homes with property tax delinquent from 2013 may be offered for sale if the property tax for 2013 and all prior years are not paid current by May 12.
County Treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell reminds taxpayers tax information is available at the Kosciusko County website at www.kcgov.com by selecting “Beacon online mapping” in the left margin. Taxpayers may view real property, personal property and mobile home property tax information, real property record cards and maps, as well as other pertinent information related to the property. “Personal property” must be selected from the drop down box in the upper right corner to view mobile homes and personal property information. Parcels must be selected from the drop down box in the upper right corner to view real property information.
Taxpayers with questions about tax bills may contact the treasurer’s office at 574- 372-2370.