Kosciusko County property tax bills being mailed out

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Kosciusko County property tax bills are being mailed beginning Monday.

Property taxes for Kosciusko County will be due May 10 and Nov. 12 for 2018 payable 2019 tax payments. Only one tax bill is mailed each year which includes both the spring and fall installment coupons, according to a news release from County Treasurer Rhonda J. Helser.

If you have a mortgage escrow to pay taxes, you will get a tax bill copy for your records with the words “For informational Purposes Only” typed across it. Note that if you paid off your mortgage and no longer escrow, check with your mortgage company to verify who is responsible to make the payment.

In Person

Taxes may be paid on the main floor of the courthouse in the treasurer’s office at 100 W. Center St., room 215, Warsaw. Bring the entire statement for a receipt to be validated. 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 entrance of the courthouse. The box is monitored by the surveillance cameras located outside the courthouse.

By Mail

Tax payments may be mailed to Kosciusko County Treasurer, PO Box 1764, Warsaw, IN. 46581. If you require a receipt, mail the entire statement for a receipt to be validated with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Spring payments must be postmarked by May 10. If mailing on May 10, it is important to have the post office hand cancel the envelope with the postmark date to avoid late penalties. Property taxes received with a May 11 or later postmark are subject to 5% or 10% 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.

Banks

The listed banks do this as service to the taxpayers of Kosciusko County and do not have authority to make changes to the tax bill amounts. Taxes may be paid if no prior delinquencies at 1st Source Bank, Crossroads, Campbell & Fetter, First Federal Huntington, Horizon Bank, Lake City Bank, Mutual Bank and Old National Bank. Take the entire statement so they may validate a receipt for you.

Online, Phone Or Debit/Credit Cards

Taxes may be paid online with a credit card or debit card at www.kcgov.com under “Menu” and then “Pay Taxes.” It is subject to a convenience fee. Credit and debit cards may also be used by calling 866-480-8552, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday, with a convenience fee. Credit and debit cards may also be used in the treasurer’s office with a 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 provides information under “Special Message” on the property’s assessed value, exemptions/deductions and ditches as well as a comparison to the prior year’s property tax obligation and a breakdown of where property taxes go. It is a source of information that can be used to evaluate and compare property tax status from year to year. The form will allow you to verify that you have the appropriate 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 do not need to be refiled 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 deduction should contact the auditor’s office at 100 W. Center St., RM 220, Warsaw, IN 46580 (574-372-2323).

Helser reminds taxpayers that tax information is available at the Kosciusko County website at www.kcgov.com by selecting “Beacon Online Mapping.” 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. Taxpayers with questions in reference to their tax bills may contact the Kosciusko County Treasurer’s Office at 574-372-2370.