Auditor

2021 Property Tax Update

Taxpayers are reminded that the first installment of property taxes is due on May 10. Tax bills are currently in the process of being printed and mailed. 

The table below shows the property tax rates that will be applied to the tax bills payable in 2021, with a comparison to last year's rates. In all but four of Porter County's taxing districts, tax rates will be lower in 2021 than last year. Taxpayers should note that lower tax rates do not necessarily mean that tax bills will be reduced. Other factors will help determine individual tax bills. For example, if a taxpayer's assessed value increased, the tax bill could end up higher even with a lower tax rate.

The property tax rates were certified in the county's annual budget order. The Porter County budget order is available online by clicking on the following link: Porter County 2021 budget order.

Non-filers can claim Economic Impact Payments

Millions of Americans do not file federal tax returns because of their low incomes, but they might still be eligible for the Economic Impact Payments that Congress has approved as part of the federal COVID relief bills.

In an effort to help non-filers claim their Economic Impact Payments, our office has compiled a flier with information from the IRS that explains how to file a tax return in order to claim the stimulus payment(s).

If you are a non-filer or know someone who is, you can check out our flier here: "How to get your Economic Impact Payment even if you don't file taxes"  

Income Tax revenue for 2021 certified

The table below shows the local income tax (LIT) revenues that our office distributes monthly to the county, cities and towns. The revenue comes from payroll withholdings from those who work in the county; the 2021 amounts reflect the income taxes generated in 2019. 

Overall, Porter County's 2021 LIT is 5.48% higher than in 2020. Half of the total is reserved for a credit on homeowner tax bills and for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. The other half is distributed to the county and municipalities. 

Did you know? Porter County's LIT rate of 0.5% (.005) is the lowest in Indiana. Only one other county currently has this same rate. The following breakdown shows the distribution to the county and municipalities in both 2020 and 2021.

 Budget austerity measures remain in place

The Porter County Council and Porter County Commissioners last year jointly adopted a financial resolution in anticipation of potentially negative budgetary impacts due to the coronavirus. The resolution, adopted by the Council on May 26 and by the Commissioners on June 9, calls for several austerity measures to continue through 2021. These measures include:

• Department heads must seek Council or Commissioner approval before moving forward with filling vacancies;
• Department heads must seek advance approval before authorizing any overtime or compensatory time for employees;
• Department heads seeking an additional appropriation from the general fund must first seek approval to get on the council agenda;
• The Porter County Auditor will utilize inter-fund borrowing to resolve departmental cash flow problems.