When are property tax bills due in Northwest Indiana?

Most homeowners in Northwest Indiana pay their property taxes twice a year rather than once. Indiana sends property tax bills in two installments, typically one in the spring and one in the fall, and both are paid to the county treasurer for the county where the property sits (Lake, Porter, or LaPorte County for this region).

Two installments, spring and fall

The exact due dates for the two installments are set at the state and county level and can shift from year to year, which is why I do not quote a specific date here. What holds across Northwest Indiana is the rhythm: a spring installment and a fall installment, with each bill covering a portion of the year's taxes. Your county treasurer's office publishes the current installment dates, and your tax bill itself shows them clearly.

Paying through escrow

If your mortgage lender collects property taxes as part of your monthly payment, you are probably paying into an escrow account, and the lender handles the installments on your behalf when they come due. In that case, keep an eye on your annual escrow statement to make sure the amount withheld matches your actual tax bill. If your taxes go up, the lender may adjust your monthly payment.

What new buyers should know

If you just bought a home, your first tax bill may arrive on a different schedule than you expect, because the county's billing cycle does not restart at your closing date. This is one reason the closing statement includes property tax credits, which I explain in my answer on how property taxes are handled when you buy or sell. Knowing the timing and the escrow setup in advance means you will not be caught off guard by a bill you did not anticipate. The guide on closing costs in Northwest Indiana also covers the money moving at the table.

If you think you will be late

Life happens, and if you know you will struggle to make an installment on time, reach out to your county treasurer before the due date. Unpaid taxes accrue interest and penalties, so early communication protects you the most. My answer on what happens if you cannot pay your property taxes walks through the options.

To find your bill and its due dates online, your county is the official source. See my answer on where to find your assessed value and tax bill online. And for a sense of how taxes fit into the cost of living around the region, the guides for Highland, St. John, and Hammond are a good starting point.

This is general information rather than tax advice, and installment dates are set by state and county officials each year. Confirm the current due dates with your county treasurer in Lake, Porter, or LaPorte County.