State laws impose property tax late fees for those who don't pay their taxes on time. These fees can vary in severity and amount by location, and often collect interest until you pay them in full. Luckily, property tax late fees are an avoidable expense as long as you understand your local tax code. Here are some tips to help:
Don't put it off
It's never too early to pay important bills. With property taxes, this is especially true. Even if your payment method is a simple online transaction, it pays to take care of it before the deadline. You never know when technology or otherwise could prevent your payment from going through on-time if you only have hours to spare. If mailing a check, allow ample time for postal delays caused by unexpected weather or other issues.
Know how to pay
It's common for phone lines to get busy close to tax deadlines. If you have a question or are unsure of how to pay, find an answer sooner rather than later. Investigate what sort of self-service options your municipality might offer, like online customer service or FAQs.
Understand penalty cancellation opportunities
If you happen to incur a late fee on your property taxes, it's best to pay it right away. However, in some rare circumstances, it's possible to have your penalty waived. If your local government offers a penalty cancellation request form, you can submit an official request to remove your late fees. These forms can take weeks to process, so act quickly if you think it might be the best option for your situation.
While property taxes constitute a major part of a homeowner's ongoing expenses, the best way to save money is to avoid late fees. Keep these tips in mind and consult your local tax authorities if you need more guidance.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
