Indiana property taxes are due twice a year. Missing a payment deadline triggers penalties and interest that can add up quickly. Here are the exact dates and everything you need to know about paying on time.
2026 Payment Dates
Indiana property taxes are paid in two installments:
- Spring installment: May 11, 2026 (first Monday in May, unless it falls on a holiday)
- Fall installment: November 10, 2026 (first Monday in November, unless it falls on a holiday)
Each installment is approximately half of your annual tax bill. The spring installment is typically a provisional amount based on the prior year's taxes, while the fall installment adjusts for the current year's assessed value, tax rate, and deductions.
What Happens If You Pay Late?
Indiana takes missed property tax payments seriously:
Penalties
- A 10% penalty is added to any payment not received by the due date
- This penalty applies immediately — there is no grace period
Interest
- After the penalty, interest accrues at 10% per year on the unpaid balance
- Interest is calculated from the original due date, not from when the penalty was applied
Tax Sale
- If property taxes remain unpaid, the county can sell a tax lien on your property at the annual tax sale (typically held in the fall)
- Tax lien buyers pay your back taxes and receive a lien on your property
- You have a redemption period (typically one year) to repay the lien holder with interest
- If you don't redeem, the lien buyer can petition for a tax deed, potentially taking ownership of your property
For investors interested in tax lien opportunities, our Investor Tools product consolidates tax lien and tax sale data from all 92 counties.
Where to Pay
Property taxes are paid to your county treasurer (not the assessor or auditor). Payment methods vary by county:
In Person
Visit your county treasurer's office during business hours. Most accept cash, check, and money order. Some accept debit/credit cards (often with a convenience fee).
By Mail
Mail your payment with the payment stub from your tax bill to your county treasurer. Allow sufficient time for postal delivery before the deadline — the payment must be received by the due date, not just postmarked.
Online
Many Indiana counties now offer online payment through their treasurer's website or a third-party payment portal. A convenience fee (typically 2-3%) usually applies for credit card payments. ACH/e-check payments may be free or have a smaller fee.
Through Your Mortgage Company
If you have a mortgage with an escrow account, your lender collects property taxes as part of your monthly payment and pays the county directly. Verify with your lender that payments are being made on time — you're ultimately responsible even if your lender handles the payment.
County Treasurer Contacts
Find your county treasurer through the county pages on AribaTax:
- Marion County — Indianapolis
- Lake County — Crown Point
- Allen County — Fort Wayne
- Hamilton County — Noblesville
- St. Joseph County — South Bend
- Vanderburgh County — Evansville
- Tippecanoe County — Lafayette
- Elkhart County — Goshen
How Your Bill Is Calculated
Your property tax bill is determined by:
- Gross assessed value — Determined by your county assessor
- Minus deductions — Homestead, mortgage, over-65, veteran, and others
- Equals net assessed value
- Multiplied by your tax rate — Set by your overlapping taxing units
- Subject to circuit breaker cap — 1% for homesteads, 2% for rental/ag, 3% for commercial/industrial
- Equals your annual tax bill
- Divided by 2 — Each installment is approximately half
Your tax rate depends on which taxing districts overlap your property's location, which is why rates vary significantly by county and even within a county.
Important Related Deadlines
Property taxes aren't the only deadline to track:
Assessment Appeal Deadline
If you want to challenge your assessed value, you must file a Form 130 appeal within 45 days of your assessment notice or by June 15, whichever is later.
Don't wait until you see your tax bill to question your assessment — by then the appeal window has likely closed. Our Tax Appeal Automation product monitors your assessment and identifies appeal opportunities early.
Homestead Deduction Filing
New homestead deduction applications should be filed with your county auditor by January 5 for the following year's taxes. If you bought a home recently, file immediately.
Personal Property Filing (Businesses)
Businesses must file personal property returns by May 15. This is separate from real property taxes.
Payment Strategies
Set Calendar Reminders
Set reminders at least two weeks before each due date. If paying by mail, add an extra week for delivery time.
Use Autopay
If your county offers autopay through their online portal, enroll. This eliminates the risk of forgetting.
Escrow Through Your Mortgage
If you have a mortgage, verify your lender is escrowing for property taxes. Most conventional mortgages require escrow, but some borrowers opt out. If you're managing payments yourself, be disciplined about the deadlines.
Budget for Increases
If your assessed value increased or your county's tax rate went up, your fall installment may be significantly higher than the spring provisional amount. Don't be surprised by a jump.
Check Your Assessment Before You Pay
Before paying your tax bill, verify that your assessed value is accurate. An over-assessment means you're paying too much — and unlike a late payment penalty, it affects every installment going forward.
Use AribaTax's Property Lookup to check your assessment against comparable sales. If something looks off, appeal before the deadline rather than overpaying.
Our AI Valuation product can estimate your property's market value and compare it against your current assessment, giving you a data-driven basis for deciding whether to appeal.