July 12, 2017 – Washington County, WI – Washington County Treasurer, Jane Merten, would like to remind taxpayers that their postponed/second installment 2016 property taxes are due on or before July 31, 2017.
If you are paying by check, Merten says, “Please make sure that the numeric and the written portions of the check are the same and that your check is signed, otherwise the check will be returned, and this could result in interest and penalty charges if postmarked after the due date. Postdated checks will not be held and will be processed the day that they are received. Checks should be mailed to the Washington County Treasurer, PO Box 1986, West Bend, Wisconsin, 53095. If you require a receipt, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.”
Merten encourages mailing your property tax payments early and not waiting until the last week of July. Mailing your payment early helps make sure that the USPS postmark is timely and provides greater opportunity to correct errors before the deadline. “The cost of missing the July 31 deadline is severe. Under state law, interest and penalty charges are 1.5% per month back to February 1, (10.5% in August for 2016 taxes) and continue to accrue until the taxes are paid in full. So, it is imperative to pay property taxes on time to avoid delinquent charges.”
You can also pay your property taxes online using a credit card or electronic check through Point & Pay. Visit the county website at www.co.washington.wi.us, then click on Departments, then County Treasurer, and Pay Real Estate Taxes Online. You will need your tax parcel number as well as the amount due. Of note, Point & Pay will charge a convenience fee of 2.39% of the amount for this service.
The Washington County Treasurer’s office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can contact the office at 262.335.4324.
