Property Tax Timelines & Deadlines

Property Tax Timelines & Deadlines gives you a clear, step-by-step way to understand what drives your bill, what to verify on your notice, and what to do if the numbers look off.

Property taxes run on a yearly cycle, with key dates every home owner should track. Missing deadlines can cost you in penalties or lost appeal rights. Below is a general timeline; specific dates vary by location:

• January (or Lien Date): Many jurisdictions fix property values as of Jan 1 (or close). For example,

Texas and New York use Jan 1 (NY’s lien date is Jan 5) 19. From that date onward, a tax lien attaches to your property for that tax year. In short, whatever your home is worth on Jan 1 becomes the basis for the whole year’s tax (unless reassessed later).

• Spring – Assessment Notices: In spring (often March–June), most counties send out property

valuation notices. These show your assessed value for the year. In New York (outside NYC), notices typically go out in May. NYC class 1 notices go out in January. Carefully check this notice for accuracy (beds, baths, square footage, etc.).

• Spring – Appeal Deadlines: After you receive the assessment notice, you have a limited window to

appeal if you think it’s wrong. Most areas give you about 30 days from the notice date to file an appeal. For example, New York upstate taxpayers must file by the third Tuesday of May (roughly 30 days after notices) 24 , while New York City’s deadline is usually March 1. Texas property owners have until May 15 (in Travis County) to protest valuations. If you miss the appeal deadline, you typically lose the right to contest the assessment.

• Summer – Budget Hearings & Tax Rate Setting: By summer, school districts and local governments

hold budget hearings. At these hearings, elected boards set the tax rates needed to fund the budget. After rates are approved, the tax authority “certifies the roll” – finalizing each home’s tax before bills are sent.

• Late Spring/Early Summer – Tax Bills Mailed: In many areas, tax bills are mailed in late spring or

early summer. For example, New York City mails bills in early June for the July 1 due date. Upstate New York mails January 1 and July 1 bills (NYC actually uses July 1 and January 1 installments 27 , see below). Keep an eye on the mail or your online account; sometimes bills go to the property address, sometimes to the mortgage company.

• Payment Due Dates: How and when you pay depends on your locale:
• Installment Plans: Many jurisdictions allow splitting your tax into two payments. For instance, NYC

requires 50% by July 1 and 50% by January 1. Nassau County (Long Island) also has 50% due Jan 1 (no penalties until Feb 10) and 50% due July 1 (no penalties until Aug 10). 4

• Single Payment: Some places, like many Texas counties, bill once annually. For example, Travis

County TX expects full payment by Jan 31.

• Early-Payment Discounts: A few areas offer discounts (e.g., 2% off if paid by Nov. 30) – check your

local rules.

• Online Payments: Increasingly, counties accept online or electronic payments. Even if you have an

escrow account, it’s wise to confirm the bill and payment with the tax office.

• After Due Date – Penalties & Interest: If you miss a payment deadline, penalties begin accruing. In

New York City, late taxes carry a high interest rate (6%–16% annually, depending on value 30 ). In Texas (Travis Co.), anything unpaid after Jan 31 incurs a 7% penalty plus 1% interest per month. Many jurisdictions charge 1% interest per month and a 5–10% late fee. Importantly, if a payment is one day late, interest is typically applied from the day after the due date, compounding monthly or daily.

• Multiple Bills/Installments: Some regions break your tax into even more payments. For example,

Michigan sends bills in summer and winter, and Massachusetts splits taxes into quarterly installments. If you’re in one of those states, you must pay each installment by its deadline.

• Final Delinquency: If taxes remain unpaid after the grace period, the property is officially

delinquent. Governments can then place a tax lien or even begin a tax foreclosure. (See “What Happens If You Don’t Pay” below.) Missing a payment deadline could incur a fine or interest based on the unpaid tax. Key Dates to Watch

• Assessment/Lien Date: Typically Jan 1 (NY Jan 5

19 ). This is when values are “locked in” for the year.

• Assessment Notice: Usually spring (March–June). Example: NYC Class 1 on Jan 15

22 ; many other areas in May.

• Appeal Deadline: Often ~30 days after notice

23 . (Don’t miss this or you forfeit contesting.)

• Tax Bill Issued: Late spring/early summer (e.g., NY City in June

26 ).

• Installment Due Dates: Vary. For example:
• NYC: 1st half July 1, 2nd half Jan 1

27 .

• Nassau Co. NY: Jan 1 (no penalty until Feb 10) and July 1 (no penalty until Aug 10)

28 .

• Texas: Jan 31 for full payment

29 .

• Michigan: summer & winter; Massachusetts: quarterly

32 .

• Delinquency: Often set in January (following year) or immediately after missed deadline.

Missing Deadlines & Penalties It’s important not to miss deadlines. If you fail to file required forms (like a personal property rendition) or an appeal by the deadline, you could incur fines or even lose your right to appeal the assessed value. If you miss a payment deadline, you will owe penalties and interest. Avalara notes: “If you miss a return deadline, … you may also lose your right to appeal the assessment”. Later, “If you miss a payment deadline, you could be fined a flat rate or a percentage of the tax due”. In short, set reminders! Use calendars (or ProptaxHelper’s tools) to track when your local bills and appeals

are due. Early planning can save big late fees. 5 What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Property Taxes Paying your property taxes is not optional. Skipping them triggers serious consequences. In the short term you’ll face hefty fees; in the long term you could lose your home. Immediate Consequences As soon as your tax payment is late, interest and penalties are applied. The exact rates vary, but typically accrue fast. For example, New York City charges 6% interest on smaller properties and up to 16% on larger ones 30 for late payments. In Travis County, TX, a 7% penalty plus 1% interest per month is tacked on after Jan 31

31 . (Many other areas impose similar rates around 1% per month plus a flat late fee.) These costs compound quickly, meaning every day you’re behind adds more to your debt. Importantly, even falling just one year behind can be dangerous. Investopedia warns that “not paying property taxes could cause you to lose your home,” often in as little as one to three years 34. Unpaid taxes become a tax lien on your home 34

• a legal claim the government holds against your property for the

delinquent amount. That lien stays until you pay off the debt, and it follows the property if you try to sell it.

Next steps

• Use the Property Tax Estimator to sanity-check your bill.
• If something looks off, run a quick Appeal Savings scenario.
• Scan the Articles list for related topics like exemptions, deadlines, and escrow planning.