Stearns County residents are reminded that the deadline to pay the first half of property taxes is right around the corner. The first half of the 2017 real estate tax is due and payable on Monday, May 15, 2017. This is the last day to pay the first half without penalty.
To make paying taxes more convenient, Stearns County has several payment options.
Taxes can be paid online on Stearns County?Äôs website at StearnsCountyMN.gov. A link can be found on the home page. Online payments can be completed with E-Check or credit card.
Residents can set up ACH payment plans. These payments are automatically deducted from a checking or savings account. Payments are spread over either a quarterly or 10-month period. Forms to authorize ACH debits can be found on the Stearns County website or by calling 320.656.3870 and asking for the Direct Payment Plan.
Tax payments can also be made in person at either the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park, at 3301 County Road 138, about one block west of Mills Fleet Farm off 28th Avenue South, or at the Treasurer?Äôs Office or License Center in the Stearns County Administration Center at 705 Courthouse Square in downtown St. Cloud. Offices are open Monday through Friday. The Treasurer?Äôs Office in downtown is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. License Center West is open 8:30 ?Äì 5 p.m., and the drive-through window can be used to drop off tax payments.
If the payment is mailed, it must be postmarked by the post office no later than May 15, to avoid penalties. State law does not allow any exceptions. Penalty rate information is shown on the reverse side of the tax statements. To ensure proper credit, return the stub portion of the tax statement along with a check or money order.
Property owners in Stearns County can sign up to receive Tax Statements, Truth in Taxation Notices, and Stearns County Valuation notices by email. To get started, go to the Stearns County website and fill out the online electronic statement request form.
For questions, contact the Treasurer?Äôs Office at (320) 656-3870 or by e-mail at taxes@co.stearns.mn.us.