Where and how you pay depends on who collects taxes in your county

Property tax bills go to your county assessor's office or county tax collector — the names vary by state, but one of these two handles your bill. You pay them directly, not the state or federal government. Most counties now accept payment online through their website, by mail, in person at their office, or by phone. A few still require checks only, so your first step is finding your county's tax collector website and looking for a "Pay Your Tax Bill" or "Make a Payment" link.

If you have a mortgage, your lender may handle this for you. When you signed your loan documents, you may have agreed to an escrow account — a separate account where your lender collects money from your monthly payment, holds it, and pays your property taxes and homeowners insurance on your behalf. Check your mortgage statement to see if property taxes appear as a line item. If they do, your lender is paying the bill and you have nothing to do except keep making your regular payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Your county tax collector or assessor's office is where you pay; find them by searching "[your county name] tax collector" online.
  • If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, your lender pays the bill automatically from money held in that account.
  • Most counties accept online payment, but some require mail or in-person payment, so check your bill or county website for methods.
  • Property taxes are usually due once or twice a year; your bill shows the exact due date and penalty for late payment.
  • If you miss a payment, your county will charge a penalty and interest, and may eventually place a lien on your home.

Finding your county tax collector and your bill

Start by searching "[your county name] property tax" or "[your county name] tax collector" in a search engine. The official county website will appear first. Once there, look for a section labeled "Payments," "Pay Your Bill," or "Property Tax." Most counties now have an online portal where you enter your parcel number or address and see your bill.

Your parcel number appears on your property tax bill, your deed, or your county assessor's website. If you cannot find it, call the tax collector's office directly — they can look it up by your address in seconds. The phone number is on your bill or on the county website. Do not wait to find the bill in the mail; many counties mail bills late, and the due date does not change if you did not receive it.

Online payment, mail, phone, and in-person options

Online payment is fastest and leaves a record instantly. Go to your county's tax collector website, enter your parcel number, and follow the prompts. Most sites accept credit cards, debit cards, and bank transfers. Some charge a small fee for credit card payments (usually 2 to 3 percent), while bank transfers are often free. Pay attention to the fee before you submit.

If you prefer mail, write a check to your county tax collector, include your parcel number on the check, and mail it to the address on your bill. Mail takes 7 to 10 days to arrive, so send it well before the due date. In-person payment at the tax collector's office is also an option; bring your bill and a check or cash. Some counties accept phone payments by calling their office and providing your parcel number and payment method, though this is less common now.

What happens if you miss the due date

Property tax bills show a due date and a penalty amount if payment is late. The penalty is usually a percentage of the tax owed — often 5 to 10 percent — and it is added automatically if you pay after the due date. Interest also accrues, typically at a rate set by your state, and compounds monthly or daily depending on your county's rules.

If you miss payment for a full year or more, your county may file a tax lien against your home. A lien is a legal claim that gives the county the right to take money from a future sale of your home to cover what you owe. If the debt goes unpaid for several years (the timeline varies by state), the county may foreclose on your home and sell it to recover the taxes. This is rare but serious, so contact your tax collector immediately if you cannot pay on time.

Payment plans and hardship options

If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact your county tax collector before the deadline and ask about a payment plan. Many counties allow you to split the bill into two or four payments spread across the year, though you may still owe a penalty on the late portion. Some counties waive or reduce penalties for taxpayers facing genuine hardship, but you must request this in writing and provide documentation of your situation.

A few states offer property tax deferrals or exemptions for seniors, disabled homeowners, or low-income households. These are separate from payment plans and may reduce or postpone your bill entirely. Search "[your state] property tax deferral" or "[your state] property tax exemption" to see what your state offers, or ask your county tax collector what programs you might be may be able to access for.

Escrow accounts and what happens if your lender pays

If your mortgage includes an escrow account, your lender collects a portion of your monthly payment and holds it in a separate account. When your property tax bill comes due, the lender pays it directly from that account. You do not receive the bill or make the payment yourself. Your mortgage statement will show a line for "property tax" or "escrow" so you can see how much is being set aside each month.

Occasionally, a lender's escrow calculation is wrong and there is not enough money in the account to cover the full bill. If this happens, the lender will ask you to pay the shortfall, or they may adjust your monthly payment going forward to build up the account. This is rare but can happen if your property taxes increase significantly or if the lender underestimated the amount needed. Check your escrow statement once a year to make sure the balance is reasonable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I did not receive my property tax bill in the mail?

Contact your county tax collector and ask them to send a duplicate bill or direct you to their online portal where you can view it. The due date does not change if the bill was lost in the mail, so do not wait. You can also look up your bill online using your parcel number on most county websites.

Can I pay my property taxes through my mortgage lender if I do not have an escrow account?

No. If you do not have an escrow account, you must pay the county tax collector directly. Your lender cannot accept property tax payments on your behalf. If you want to set up an escrow account, contact your lender to ask whether they offer this option and what the process is.

What if my property tax bill seems too high?

You can challenge the assessed value of your home by filing a formal appeal with your county assessor's office. The process and deadline vary by state, but you usually have 30 to 60 days after receiving your bill. Contact your assessor's office for the appeal form and instructions. Challenging the assessment does not stop you from paying the current bill on time.

Do I need to pay property taxes if my home is paid off?

Yes. Property taxes are owed every year regardless of whether you have a mortgage. The only exception is if your home is exempt under state law — for example, if it is a primary residence for a senior or disabled homeowner in a state that offers an exemption. Check your state's rules or ask your county tax collector whether you may have access to.

Can I pay property taxes with a credit card?

Most counties accept credit cards online, but many charge a convenience fee of 2 to 3 percent. Some counties do not accept credit cards at all. Check your county's website or call their office to confirm what payment methods they take and whether there is a fee.