Property tax bills have arrived. Here are 5 tips for paying from the Polk County treasurer

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

Residential and mobile home property tax statements have been mailed and are arriving to mailboxes in Polk County soon.

First installment payments are due Sept. 30. Polk County Treasurer Mary L. Wells encourages residents to make their property tax payments online, by mail or by drop box.

5 tips for paying property taxes from the Polk County treasurer

  1. The easiest, most convenient and secure way to pay your property taxes is online at iowataxandtags.org. The QR code on the mailed tax statement will take you straight there.

  2. If you're paying by mail or drop box, be sure to include the stub that comes with your 2023/2024 property tax statement. The drop box is located on the Court Avenue side of the Polk County Administration building, 111 Court Ave.

  3. Keep in mind the deadline of Sept. 30. Mailed payments must be postmarked by this date to avoid late penalties.

  4. If you plan on paying in-person, schedule an appointment at polkcountyiowa.gov/treasurer. Appointments are prioritized over walk-ins.

  5. Don't wait!

How to pay my Polk County property tax bill

  • Online: You can pay property taxes online at www.iowataxandtags.org. Payment options include e-check, debit card or credit card. A nonrefundable service delivery fee applies to all forms of payment for online transactions. But, the fee for paying by e-check is only 30 cents, which is less than the cost of a postage stamp.

  • By mail: Property tax payments must be accompanied by a payment stub and postmarked by Sept. 30, 2023, to avoid late penalty.

  • By drop box: A payment stub must accompany payments and can be dropped in the drop box marked "Polk County Treasurer" outside the main entrance of the Polk County Administration building, 111 Court Ave. No cash payments should be left in the drop box, and documents must be in the box by 5 p.m. Sept. 30 to avoid a late penalty.

  • By phone: Property taxes can be paid over the phone by e-check, debit card or credit card by calling 515-286-3060 during business hours (7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month). Non-refundable service fees apply to all e-check, debit card or credit card payments.

  • In person: Payments can be made in person at the Polk County Administration building at 111 Court Ave. during business hours. You can schedule an appointment at www.polkcountyiowa.gov/treasurer or view walk-in times before visiting.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Five ways to pay Polk County property tax before Sept. 30 deadline