where to pay property taxes
You generally pay property taxes to your local government office where the property is located, not to the federal government.
Main places to pay
- County or city tax collector / treasurerâs office (name varies by area; sometimes itâs the âtax collector,â âtreasurerâtax collector,â or ârevenueâ office).
- Through your mortgage lenderâs escrow account, if your mortgage servicer collects taxes with your monthly payment and pays the bill on your behalf.
- Online via your local governmentâs property tax or treasurer website, using eâcheck, card, or other electronic options where offered.
- By mail, sending a check or money order to the address printed on your property tax bill.
- In person at the address listed on the bill (often the county courthouse or tax office).
How to find your exact payment location
- Check your property tax bill:
- It will list the office name (for example, âCounty TreasurerâTax Collectorâ) and mailing and inâperson payment addresses.
- Search â[your county or city] property tax paymentâ or use official portals (for example, some cities use a âmy propertyâ site where you can look up your account and pay online).
- If youâre unsure, call the general information number for your city or county government and ask for the office that handles property tax payments.
Common payment methods
- In many areas you can:
- Pay in one or two installments directly to the local tax office each year.
* Enroll in an escrow arrangement through your mortgage so the servicer pays the tax for you.
* Use online portals, phone payments, mail, or inâperson payments, depending on what your local office supports.
If you tell the country/state or city/county where your property is, a more specific link or office name can be narrowed down.