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Auditor
The Auditor is the County's Chief Financial Officer, The Auditor's office has four departments: Property Tax, the Plat Room, Tax Sale, and Finance.
View the tabs to see which department can help you with your issue.
2024 BUDGET BOOK
Contact Us: PROPERTYTAX@sjcindiana.com
| Property Tax Department – Manages Property Tax Deductions, and calculates tax bills. There are multiple deductions that you may qualify for that will lower your tax bill! Deductions work by reducing the amount of assessed value subject to taxation. ****************************************************************** *NEW Pending Commissioner Approval*County Option Circuit Breaker Tax CreditQualifying individuals must meet the following requirements. * Have received a Homestead Deduction in the immediately preceding calendar year * Continue to receive a Homestead deduction, for the same property, in the current calendar year * Have lived in the Homestead property for at least 10 years, on or before December 31 for the calendar year immediately preceding the current calendar year * Be 55 years of age, or older, on or before December 31 of the calendar year preceding the year in which the credit is claimed * There is NO income limit -Only one (1) credit can be claimed per homestead and those who receive this credit are unable to claim the Over 65 Circuit breaker Credit under Indiana Code 6-1.1.20.6-8.5 -Only available for three (3) years -The percent increase on a qualified individual's property tax liability in a particular year compared to the prior year that is used to determine the amount of the credit shall be 2% | ONLINE FILING COMING IN JANUARY 2024! Soon you will be able to complete each deduction form that is applicable.
For each form you will receive an email receipt. Email receipts will provide proof you filed. |
FAQ'sHow do I change my mailing address?Complete the address change form: Address Change form How do I change my property address? Please contact the Assessor: 574-235-9523 How do I know if my deduction application has been accepted? Contact the Property Tax Office at:propertytax@scjindiana.com OR 574-235-9668 Who is the owner of record? View owner records at: lowtaxinfo.com What deductions are available to me? View Property tax benefits at: Indiana Property Tax Benefits What is the difference between property exemptions and deductions? Exemptions make one exempt from paying property tax, ie: Religious Organizations. Deductions deduct a percentage off your assessed value of your home, then that amount is taxed. Are there any fees to transfer a deed? Yes, $10 per parcel, Auditor fee. The Assessor, 574-235-9523 and the Recorder, 574-235-9525 *9, also have fees. How do I calculate a tax bill? | Filing Information Application for deductions must be completed and dated no later than December 31st annually. Taxpayers do not need to re-apply for deductions annually. Re-application should only occur if the property is sold, the title is changed. Deductions applied for prior to the annual deadlines will be applied to the next year’s tax bill. For example, a homeowner who completes and dates an application for a deduction by December 31, 2023, and files the application on or before January 5, 2024, will see the deduction applied to his 2023 pay 2024 tax bill. The Auditor’s office has until mid-February to approve deduction applications that were filed by December 31st of the immediately preceding calendar year. |
Note to Taxpayers: Due to a recent law change, the mortgage deduction will no longer be available to Indiana taxpayers beginning with the 2023-pay-2024 tax cycle. Applications for the mortgage deduction will no longer be accepted beginning January 1, 2023. View the notice from the State.
CONTACT US: PLATROOM@sjcindiana.com
| The Plat Room manipulates parcels of land for taxation. This includes change of ownership through deed transfers, splitting of property to create new parcels, adding rights-of-way to roads, and vacating unneeded roads and alleys as well as consolidating parcels. We maintain the parcel layer with this information for the public GIS maps as well as in the Property Tax system. | Ownership: Would you like to know the current owner of record? LOWTAXINFO.com is a 24-hr delay as to what we transfer in our TAX system. Sometimes there are delays in transfers, but generally the Plat Room is within 1-3 days recording date. |
FAQ'sWho is the owner of record?View owner records at: lowtaxinfo.com How can I view my property lines? View parcels lines at: SJC GIS Map or maps.macog.com How do I remove a person from a deed? We strongly suggest you contact a Title Company or Real Estate Attorney for all deed changes. | Parcel Consolidation: Did you know consolidating your parcels might help lower your tax bill? Your deductions cover up to an acre of land so that should help lower your assessed value. Also, consolidating puts the properties under one parcel number, it does not change lot lines. It can always be undone as well. There is no charge for this service. To begin the process fill out the Parcel Consolidation Form. Commissioner Deeds: To view deeds from 1844 - 1990, visit our online database at Municode.com. |
CONTACT US: TAXSALE@sjcindiana.com
| The County holds two Tax Sales a year. Parcels and Vacant lots. They are advertised in the newspaper and online. We have the unsold property map available after the sale. We also will have the active tax sale properties map available before and during the sale. Unsold Properties | St Joseph County | UPCOMING TAX SALE - TBDTax Sale & Commissioners HandbookFor more information please visit: SRI For registration and listings: Zeus Auction Program St. Joseph County GIS HUB - Tax Sale Map will be available to view during the sale |
FAQ'sHow do I find out if my house is up for TAX sale?View information at: lowtaxinfo.com How do I register for the TAX sale? For registration and listings go to: Zeus Auction Program How long is the redemption period? The redemption period depends on the sale a property was in. If the property was sold in the Parcel Tax Sale (typically in the fall), there is a one year redemption period from the date of sale. If the property was sold in the Commissioner's Tax Sale (typically in the spring), there is a 120 day redemption period from the date of sale. Does the Auditor receive payment for redeeming properties? Yes I never received a TAX bill, who do I contact? Please contact us at: Taxsale@sjcindiana.com When can I take ownership of a purchased TAX sale property? After the redemption period is complete. |