How do I Work Out an Arrangement to Pay My Delinquent Property Taxes?

Property tax delinquency can result in foreclosure in some states.

In the United States, the county is typically responsible for assessing and collecting property taxes. If you have a mortgage however, your lender may demand that you place funds in an escrow account to pay your taxes for you. This means that you pay your mortgage plus a monthly prorated amount for taxes, and the lender connects with your county and pays your taxes once a year.

Instructions

1. Contact the county or district to inquire about the process for submitting late payments if you are submitting payments directly to the county. Ask about payment plans or ways you might restructure your existing debt.

2. Contact the bank to which your mortgage payments are made if it has an escrow account and pays your taxes each year. The bank may pay your delinquent taxes and collect from you in arrears. Banks are often interested in keeping a foreclosure off their books, and have an interest in working with you on this issue.

3. Contact your state's real estate governing body to inquire about the required notification period for your state.

4. Contact your lender if you don't know how you structured your tax payment when you closed on your home. The lender has record of your payment structure.

5. Pay your back taxes based on the method agreed to by either the bank or the county.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have obtained notice of foreclosure already, read this notice carefully. You must complete the steps included or risk foreclosure in a specified time period.

References

• Foreclosure Laws and Procedures by State
• # # "The Foreclosure Process in Texas"; Randy Gool; 2009

Resources

• Foreclosure Laws and Procedures by State