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1. When are tax bills mailed and when is payment due?

Real estate tax bills are mailed normally mid May and are payable in two installments, due June and September. Due dates can change. You can pay both installments on or before the June due date if you desire.

2. Do you accept partial payment?

No, state law has no provision for partial payments.

3. My mortgage company pays my taxes. Why did I receive a tax bill?

You will still receive a real estate tax bill to keep for your records. You may contact our office to make sure payment has been made or you may go to our Property Tax Inquiry to view your tax information.

4. Why isn’t my tax bill mailed to the mortgage company?

One bill is mailed to the property owner. There are other notices that are sent to property owners regarding your real estate taxes. These include assessment changes, exemption renewals, notice of unpaid taxes and tax sale, as well as the bill itself.

5. I forgot my mortgage company pays my taxes and I submitted payment. Will you return my payment?

We apply the first payment we receive. We have no way to know if your mortgage company is to pay your taxes. If we have already applied your payment and we receive your mortgage company’s payment, their payment will be applied to second installment or if both installments are paid, it will be returned. Please contact our office if this does happen as we will need a written request to back off any payments.

6. Can I write one check for multiple parcels?

Yes. We ask you return your stubs with your payment so we know what parcels are being paid.

7. I never received a tax bill. What should I do?

If you do not receive a tax bill in May or June, or if you lost your tax bill, you may contact our office and we can assist you with another tax bill. You may also print a tax bill online on our Property Tax Inquiry with no charge. NOTE: Failure to receive a tax bill does not void the tax or prevent the addition of penalties and costs.

8. What if I have my bill but do not have the perforated tax stubs?

The proper account can be credited if the property identification number or parcel ID is written on the payment check. The property identification number (PIN) can be found in the upper right of the tax bill.

9. The address on my bill is wrong. How do I change it?

Please print out an Address Change Form (PDF). Please mail to the Supervisor of Assessment’s office which is indicated on the bottom of the form

10. How do I know if I applied for all my exemptions?

The exemptions will be indicated on your tax bill. Please review your bill and if you have any questions about if you qualify for an exemption, please contact the Supervisor of Assessment’s office at 815-772-5195.

11. I just purchased this property. Am I still responsible for paying last year’s taxes?

The usual procedure is for the seller of real estate to pay a credit to the buyer for accrued taxes at closing, in which case the buyer is responsible. Review your closing documents and/or contact your real estate attorney to be sure. Contact our office at 815-772-5196 if you have any questions if taxes are paid or not. Unpaid real estate taxes will be offered at the annual tax sale

12. What happens if I cannot pay my property taxes?

State law requires that a tax lien sale be held each year, where investors pay taxes on delinquent properties and receive a tax lien certificate in return. Those investors have the right to petition the court for a tax deed and take possession of the property after 2 ½ years if the lien is not redeemed. Payment of taxes is an important responsibility that comes with the privilege of owning real estate.

13. What determines how high the property taxes will be?

There are approximately 140 taxing districts in Whiteside County. The districts that affect your property are listed on your tax bill. Each district is run by a board of elected officials or a board appointed by elected officials. These boards adopt annual budgets and enact levy ordinances that determine how much property tax they will collect in the coming year. Law requires that these actions be taken at public meetings that are published in advance.

14. What do I do if I think my property taxes are too high?

There are multiple factors that affect your taxes. The assessed value, tax rate, and exemptions. You may contact the Supervisor of Assessment’s office at 815-772-5195 with questions regarding your assessed value and exemptions. The tax rate is determined through the actions of the many taxing bodies. (See previous question).

15. I did not pay my taxes last year. Where can I find out how much I owe?

Please contact the County Clerk’s office for redemption of your real estate taxes at 815-772-5189.

16. If I pay my taxes late, will my name be in the paper?

If taxes are not paid by the publication date, it is state law we publish delinquent real estate taxes. Publication of delinquent real estate taxes typically is in October. You will receive a delinquent notice prior to publication. Please note, the publication of delinquent taxes is a reminder to alert property owners to pay taxes before the tax sale.