Property Tax Bills Mailed
The Porter County Treasurer’s Office has mailed out this year’s property tax bills. Property owners should be receiving their bills in the mail this week. Here is some information you might find helpful:
What is the due date? Property tax bills in Indiana are due in two installments, with the first installment due May 11. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Holcomb has issued an executive order waiving the penalties on property tax payments, except those in escrow, for 60 days. The second installment of tax bills is due Nov. 10.
Why did my tax bill go up over last year? A higher tax bill could be due to a number of factors. Your tax rate may have jumped, or your individual assessed value may have increased. The comparison statement that comes with the tax bill shows a two-year comparison of assessed values, tax rates, and more.
Who do I contact if I have questions? If you have questions about a tax deduction or the tax calculation, our office can assist you. Depending on the nature of your question, you might need to speak with the Assessor’s or Treasurer’s offices.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Auditor Services During Shutdown
Effective at noon on March 17, many Porter County government offices, including the Auditor’s Office, closed to the public in an effort to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Under orders of the County Commissioners, many county government offices are working remotely, with reduced and/or rotating in-office crews.
If you need to reach our office concerning your tax bill, deduction, or other matter, we will be here to assist via phone call or email. Our main office number is 219-465-3445. Our email is auditor@porterco.org. Please be patient with us as we deal with an increased volume in calls and emails.
State issues Porter County’s 2020 Budget Order
The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance has issued the 2020 budget order for Porter County. The budget order sets the total budgets, property tax levies, and tax rates for each taxing unit. To view the budget order, click here.
The table below shows the tax rates that will be applied to the tax bills payable in 2020, with a comparison to last year’s rates by each taxing district.
| Taxing District | 2019 Tax Rate | 2020 Tax Rate |
|---|
| Boone Township | 2.5003 | 2.3633 |
| Hebron | 3.2076 | 3.0259 |
| Center Township | 2.0436 | 2.0409 |
| Valparaiso--Center Township | 3.0152 | 3.0403 |
| Jackson Township | 1.5849 | 1.6175 |
| Liberty Township | 1.6153 | 1.6532 |
| Chesterton--Liberty Township | 2.5413 | 2.5564 |
| Morgan Township | 1.5047 | 1.5436 |
| Pine Township--Michigan City Schools | 1.4408 | 1.4638 |
| Pine Township--Duneland Schools | 1.6321 | 1.6588 |
| Beverly Shores | 1.9587 | 2.0365 |
| Pines town | 1.9576 | 1.8871 |
| Pleasant Township | 1.5632 | 1.6223 |
| Kouts | 1.9957 | 2.0301 |
| Portage Township | 1.9032 | 1.8858 |
| Portage city--Portage Township | 2.8265 | 2.8146 |
| Ogden Dunes | 2.1527 | 2.1792 |
| Porter Township | 1.5936 | 1.6029 |
| Union Township | 1.7581 | 1.6168 |
| Washington Township | 1.5058 | 1.5452 |
| Westchester Township | 1.7298 | 1.7896 |
| Portage city--Westchester Township | 2.9178 | 2.9407 |
| Chesterton--Westchester Township | 2.6559 | 2.6804 |
| Burns Harbor | 2.0525 | 2.1017 |
| Dune Acres | 2.0645 | 2.1247 |
| Porter town | 2.8920 | 2.9505 |
| Chesterton--Jackson Township | 2.5317 | 2.5444 |
| Porter Township--West Porter Fire | 1.5892 | 1.5972 |
| Valparaiso--Washington Township | 2.7006 | 2.7704 |
To view the adopted budgets for Porter County government, see the "Budgets & Finance" tab or click here.
New Deed Transfer Fee Now in Effect
A number of new state laws affecting county auditor offices took effect July 1. One of these is a deed transfer fee increase to $10 per parcel. Under H.E.A. 1427, county auditors are now required to collect the higher fee for real property conveyances, with the fee revenue used for developing and maintaining plat books. We began implementing this new fee on July 1, in accordance with state statute.
